True Crime Streaming · Tool Face-Off

Court TV+ vs Law&Crime Network

Quick answer

Both channels scratch the true crime itch, but Law&Crime Network edges ahead with deeper original programming and broader gavel-to-gavel trial coverage, while Court TV+ wins on legacy brand trust and cleaner app experience.

Court TV+

The original courtroom drama — live and on demand

3.8★

Our pick

Law&Crime Network

Trial coverage meets investigative storytelling

4.2★

Free Tier

Yes, ad-supported

Yes, free on web & app

Premium Price

~$4.99/month

Free (no paid tier currently)

Live Trial Streams

Yes, flagship feature

Yes, multiple simultaneous courtrooms

Original Shows

Limited originals, mostly archival

10+ original series (e.g. Devil in the Detail)

On-Demand Library Size

Moderate — classic trials & docs

Large — trials + originals + docs

Mobile App Quality

Smooth, well-reviewed iOS/Android app

Functional but occasional buffering reported

Smart TV Support

Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV

Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV

Ads on Free Tier

Yes, moderate ad load

Yes, but lighter than competitors

Legal Analysis / Commentary

Occasional anchor commentary

Daily live legal analyst panels

Podcast Integration

No companion podcast

Yes, several companion podcasts

Brand Heritage

30+ years — launched 1991

Founded 2016 by Dan Abrams

Social/Community Features

Basic social links

Active YouTube simulcast + comment community

Court TV+

Ease of Use★★★★☆

Price & Value★★★★☆

Content Library★★★★☆

Live Trial Coverage★★★★½

Device Compatibility★★★½☆

Original Programming★★★☆☆

Law&Crime Network

Ease of Use★★★½☆

Price & Value★★★★½

Content Library★★★★½

Live Trial Coverage★★★★½

Device Compatibility★★★★☆

Original Programming★★★★☆

Worth knowing

Court TV launched in 1991 and televised the O.J. Simpson trial — basically the Super Bowl of courtroom TV.
Law&Crime Network streams live on YouTube for free, racking up millions of views per high-profile trial.
Law&Crime was founded by legal journalist Dan Abrams, who also runs Mediaite — the man has a media empire.
Court TV relaunched in 2019 after going off-air in 2008, betting (correctly) that true crime hunger never dies.
Both networks covered the Depp v. Heard trial in 2022, which together drew more live viewers than most cable news events.

Law&Crime's YouTube live streams of the Johnny Depp trial got so many viewers that some legal analysts became accidental celebrities overnight — one even landed a book deal from their trial hot-takes.

If you want

You want completely free, no-strings trial coverage with expert commentary

Law&Crime is genuinely free with no paid tier required and delivers richer live analysis.

→ Pick Law&Crime Network

If you want

You love archival courtroom history and a polished app experience

Court TV's 30-year library and cleaner mobile app make binge-watching classic trials a joy.

→ Pick Court TV+

If you want

You want original true crime series beyond just raw trial footage

Law&Crime invests heavily in produced original shows and podcasts that go deeper than the courtroom.

→ Pick Law&Crime Network

If you want

You're on a tight budget and hate ads

Fully free with a lighter ad load beats paying $4.99/month for a modest content upgrade.

→ Pick Law&Crime Network

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