Press Release: Scott Sternberg Productions and Trifecta Entertainment & Media today announced the launch of the new nationally syndicated true crime show, “iCRIME with Elizabeth Vargas,” which will air in over 95% of the country and premiere September 12. Hosted by best-selling author and Peabody & Emmy-award winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas (“20/20,” “America’s Most Wanted,” “A+E Investigates”), this 30-minute fast-paced reality series will take a modern look at crime, through the lens(es) of the public’s smartphones. The show will feature compelling clips of actual crimes captured on smartphone video by witnesses, as well as interviews between Vargas and victims, bystanders, law enforcement and the amateur photographers themselves – as a panel of crime experts weigh in. The show will air Monday-Friday across the nation.
“Cell phone videos have completely changed the social landscape,” explained Elizabeth Vargas. “Anyone, anywhere, with a cell phone can record crimes as they happen, and those videos can have a huge impact” — Vargas continues — “iCRIME will cull the most powerful of these videos, while providing important insight on the law and how to keep safe. I could not be more excited to host this new show.”
Co-creator and Executive Producer Scott Sternberg, a true crime veteran, elaborated saying, “The emergent widespread use of smartphones to immediately record everything as it happens gave us the idea to produce ‘iCRIME.’ Video from anywhere and everywhere of real situations shot by all of us is a natural way to give viewers a daily dive into the unbelievable realism of crime videos.” He added, “And having a host like Elizabeth Vargas brings ‘iCRIME’ to another level.”
“We’re so gratified that stations have responded to this show in such a big way. This new form of Everyman recordings has become an important new social media tool in helping law enforcement gain truth in crimes committed across the country,” said Hank Cohen, co-creator, Executive Producer and CEO of distributor Trifecta. Cohen added, “And to be producing alongside renowned crime journalist Elizabeth Vargas and veteran crime producer Scott Sternberg just checks all the boxes.”
Hank Cohen, Scott Sternberg, and host Elizabeth Vargas all serve as Executive Producers on the series, which recently started production.
“iCRIME with Elizabeth Vargas” has been strongly supported by the top broadcast station groups with many scheduling the series in news adjacent time periods. Nexstar’s WPIX in New York, for example, will air an hour block of the show as a lead-in to its afternoon news, with numerous other Nexstar Media Inc. stations similarly on board. Also highlighting the show’s launch will be the more than 60 stations from the Sinclair Broadcast Group that have scheduled “iCRIME with Elizabeth Vargas” on their fall lineups. Other key station groups include Gray Media Group, Scripps Media Inc., Cox Media Group, Tegna Inc., CBS Television Stations, Fox Television Stations and Weigel Broadcasting.
Trifecta will handle all domestic distribution and its president, Michael Daraio, will oversee all advertising and sponsorship sales for the show. Scott Sternberg Productions will be responsible for international sales.