Americans are hooked on true crime. The more graphic and disturbing, the more they find it exciting and suspenseful. And the audience of true crime TV shows are about 80% women. Viewers just want to know, who done it?
Americans are hooked on true crime. According to YouGov, an international online research data and analytics technology group, half of Americans say they enjoy true crime content, and one in three say they watch it at least once a week. The more graphic and disturbing, especially the grisliest variety, the more they find it exciting and suspenseful.
And the audience of true crime TV shows are about 80% women, says Psychology Today.
For years, major network primetime TV programs like Dateline, 48 Hours and 20/20 focused on cold case true crime stories. And they were great lead ins to the affiliates’ late news.
Viewers just want to know, who done it?
Mark Klein, senior marketing producer at KSLA, Gray’s CBS affiliate in Shreveport, La., says: “KSLA has really dug into our investigative roots, focusing on cases gone cold across the ArkLaTex because true crime is such a popular topic for our viewers.”
“The fact that YOUR coverage has opened this case back up gives me chills,” was a comment from viewer Priscilla.
Klein says KSLA’s push for true crime documentaries started during Black History Month with Nobody Knows Her Sorrow: What Happened to Ann Brewster? which aired on Wednesday, Feb. 28, during the station’s hour-long 6 p.m. newscast.
Brewster, a local civil rights activist and black business owner mysteriously died in February 1964, during the peak of the civil rights movement.
“There’s a lot of intrigue surrounding her death,” Klein says.
Her case was initially ruled a suicide, but the police reports were filled with contradictions. In addition, there were rumors about Brewster having an affair with a former city commissioner.
“The good ole boy system was in charge back then. It is time for the injustice that was handed down by them be rectified,” Bree wrote.
After the documentary aired, the Shreveport Chief of Police and his detective staff sat down and watched the film, and after a push from local city council people, the case has officially been reopened, Klein says.
Nobody Knows Her Sorrow: What Happened to Ann Brewster? was directed by Domonique Benn, KSLA’s morning anchor. Klein did the editing and graphics.
“Wow. Learned so much in this segment. Ann Brewster, the history of Shreveport related to the Civil Right movement. Thanks for sharing.” — Shantanel.
“Even though this is way before my time I have been following your story on her and I am curious myself what happened. I commend you on being so diligent in getting justice for her.” — Lana.
“GREAT INTERVIEWS!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS. This Story should be shown in each school across Northwest LA and beyond.” — Yolanda.
On Tuesday, April 2, KSLA aired another true crime doc, Vanished and Forgotten: The Cold Case of David Yeager, during the station’s hour-long 6 p.m. newscast.
David Yeager, a Shreveport high school senior, disappeared one Saturday morning in 1971.
According to his family, Yeager left home walking, with the intentions of going to a debate at Centenary College, which is about eight miles away. They believe he hitchhiked and ended up in the wrong vehicle, at the wrong time.
Did Yeager’s vanishing have anything to do with infamous serial killer, Danny Rolling?
Yeager’s journey from his home in Shreveport would have him walking past Rolling’s home.
“I watched that report. Very interesting. I never knew that the Gainesville serial killer was from Shreveport. Fifty years ago and without the forensics we have now, it will be hard to solve but, nothing is impossible.” — Kim.
Earlier this year, more than 50 years later, Yeager was officially added to the National Missing Children’s database thanks to a recent push by his family, Klein says. That documentary led to a recently launched cold case podcast.
Klein says although it’s “hard for KSLA to track specific individual nights, that both performed well, compared to a traditional newscast, and have received a solid viewer response.”
“Very good report. I was impressed at the details you uncovered. Can’t wait for more reports like this.” — Suelynne.
KSLA has plans to make more true crime documentaries on a regular basis aiming for one a month.
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