The court show genre shows no sign of flagging, as another gaveler just got a second-year commitment three weeks before the Natpe syndie trade show in Miami.
Indie distrib Litton Entertainment said Monday that Judge Karen’s Court will return for a second season this fall with all new episodes. Deals are all-barter and for two years.
In a syndie year dominated by several other high-profile launches, Karen managed to become the number one freshman first-run strip in New York — and has been duly renewed by Tribune’s WPIX station in the Big Apple.
“Judge Karen‘s unique courtroom style and personality have connected with PIX”s viewers,” said Eric Meyrowitz, VP/GM of the indie station.
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Other stations stepping up again for the strip include Capital, Fusion, LIN, Nexstar, Roberts, Sinclair and Weigel, bringing the total number of markets so far to re-up for the gaveler to 57.
In Chicago, where the series is also strong, it has been upgraded by WCIU and will begin airing at 9:00 a.m. effective immediately. WCIU has also renewed for the fall.
“Stations have seen enough court shows to know the difference between good ones and bad ones,” said Tom Warner, E VP of distribution for Litton.
“After my first show went off the air, many people thought that was the end,” Judge Karen Mills-Francis said in a statement. “But then something extraordinary happened. Several station groups actually lobbied to get my show back on the air!”
Known for her trademark burgundy robes and blonde hair along with her witty comments from the bench, Judge Karen will this fall air alongside, or in some markets up against, Judge Mathis, or the court show queen Judge Judy or Nancy Grace‘s soph strip Swift Justice, among others.
There are a dozen or so court shows on the air in any given season, including not only Judge Judy but also Judge Joe Brown, Judge David Young and Judge Hatchett.
Another indie distrib, Trifecta, is meanwhile trying to clear a new court contender for the fall with Arkansas judge Marianne Gunn.
Litton also licenses shows such as “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures” and “Storm Stories.”
