ABC News Launches 20/20 True Crime Channel on TuneIn With Hit Podcasts and Exclusive Investigations
The true crime boom continues to reshape the digital media industry, and now ABC News is making a major move to strengthen its position in the fast-growing space. The network has officially launched the “20/20 True Crime” channel on TuneIn, creating a dedicated destination where listeners can access some of the most talked-about investigative stories from the iconic “20/20” franchise.
The newly introduced channel brings together a wide collection of true crime content under one roof, including chart-topping podcasts, full television episode audio, and exclusive after-show discussions. The launch marks another strategic expansion by ABC News as it doubles down on audience demand for long-form investigative storytelling and on-demand audio experiences.
For fans of mystery, criminal investigations, courtroom drama, and deep-dive journalism, the platform promises uninterrupted access to compelling real-life stories that have captivated audiences for decades.
ABC News Bets Big on the Growing True Crime Audio Market
Over the last several years, true crime has evolved from a niche genre into one of the most dominant categories in podcasting and streaming media. From serialized investigations to documentary-style storytelling, audiences around the world have shown an insatiable appetite for crime-focused content.
Recognizing this trend, ABC News is consolidating its successful “20/20” true crime programming into a centralized listening hub through its partnership with TuneIn.
The move is not just about convenience. It represents a larger strategy aimed at strengthening listener engagement, increasing streaming hours, and expanding the “20/20” brand beyond traditional television.
The “20/20 True Crime” channel will feature:
Popular ABC News true crime podcasts
Full audio versions of “20/20” television episodes
Behind-the-scenes commentary from journalists and producers
Exclusive investigative storytelling
Ongoing updates tied to major criminal cases
This all-in-one approach reflects the changing habits of digital audiences, who increasingly consume news and entertainment through audio-first platforms while commuting, exercising, or multitasking throughout the day.
TuneIn and ABC News Strengthen Strategic Partnership
The launch also deepens the relationship between ABC News and TuneIn, one of the world’s largest live audio streaming platforms.
TuneIn already distributes several major media brands, sports broadcasts, and news stations globally. By adding a dedicated “20/20 True Crime” stream, the company is positioning itself to capitalize on the ever-growing demand for binge-worthy crime content.
Rich Stern, CEO of TuneIn, highlighted the massive appeal of the genre while discussing the new collaboration.
According to Stern, true crime consistently ranks among the top-performing content categories across digital audio platforms, making the partnership a natural fit for both companies.
He emphasized that ABC News and “20/20” have built a strong reputation for investigative storytelling, allowing listeners to engage with gripping real-life cases wherever they are — whether at home, in the car, or on the move.
The partnership gives TuneIn another premium content offering while allowing ABC News to expand its audience reach beyond traditional broadcast television.
What Listeners Can Expect From the ‘20/20 True Crime’ Channel
The new channel is designed as a comprehensive destination for true crime enthusiasts. Instead of searching across multiple apps and podcast feeds, users can now access all major “20/20” crime-related programming in one place.
Featured Podcast Series
The platform includes several acclaimed investigative audio series from ABC News’ growing podcast portfolio.
Among the highlighted titles are:
“Devil in the Desert”
A gripping narrative series exploring shocking criminal events, hidden motives, and the devastating consequences surrounding a mysterious case.
“Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska”
This investigative podcast dives deep into a chilling and complex case set against the isolated backdrop of Alaska, blending journalism with suspense-driven storytelling.
“What Happened to Holly Bobo?”
One of ABC News’ most recognized true crime investigations, the series revisits the disappearance and murder case that drew nationwide attention and emotional courtroom battles.
These podcasts have already developed loyal audiences in the crowded true crime space, and their inclusion in a dedicated channel could significantly boost long-term listener engagement.
Full ‘20/20’ Television Episodes Available in Audio Format
In a major addition for longtime fans, TuneIn listeners will also gain access to full audio versions of “20/20” television episodes.
This feature allows audiences to experience investigative reporting traditionally made for television in a podcast-friendly format.
For years, “20/20” has been one of America’s most trusted television news magazines, known for covering high-profile criminal investigations, legal controversies, shocking disappearances, and emotional human-interest stories.
By adapting episodes into audio, ABC News is effectively extending the lifespan of its broadcast journalism while making it accessible to a broader digital audience.
This strategy aligns with a growing media trend in which television networks repurpose premium visual content into on-demand audio experiences.
Inside Access Through ‘20/20: The After Show Podcast’
One of the standout features of the new channel is the inclusion of “20/20: The After Show Podcast.”
The companion series offers listeners a rare behind-the-scenes perspective into how major investigations are produced.
The podcast includes conversations featuring:
Co-anchor Deborah Roberts
ABC News correspondents
Investigative journalists
“20/20” producers
Editorial team members
These discussions explore untold details, production decisions, emotional moments, and reporting challenges that shaped each televised episode.
For true crime fans, this format adds another layer of immersion, allowing audiences to understand not just the crimes themselves but also the journalistic process behind uncovering the stories.
Why True Crime Continues to Dominate Streaming Platforms
The launch of the “20/20 True Crime” channel arrives at a time when true crime content continues to dominate podcast rankings and streaming consumption worldwide.
Industry analysts point to several reasons behind the genre’s explosive popularity:
Psychological Curiosity
Audiences are naturally drawn to mysteries, investigations, and the psychology of criminal behavior.
Serialized Storytelling
True crime podcasts often unfold like television dramas, encouraging binge listening and long-term engagement.
Emotional Connection
Many cases involve victims, families, and communities, creating emotionally powerful narratives.
Rise of Podcast Culture
As podcast listening continues to rise globally, true crime has become one of the most reliable categories for audience retention.
Streaming companies and news organizations are increasingly investing in original crime-focused programming because of its ability to attract loyal listeners and generate repeat consumption.
ABC News Expands Beyond Traditional Broadcasting
The TuneIn launch is only one piece of ABC News’ broader digital transformation strategy.
The company has been steadily expanding the “20/20” brand across multiple formats, including:
Television
Podcasts
Video streaming
Digital documentaries
Social media storytelling
Audio-exclusive content
Last year, ABC News also expanded “20/20: The After Show” into a video format as the legendary news program entered its 48th season.
The decision reflected growing audience interest in supplementary content that goes beyond standard television episodes.
Rather than treating podcasts as side projects, major networks are increasingly integrating them into their core journalism ecosystems.
The Business of True Crime Is Booming
The true crime industry has become one of the most profitable sectors in modern media.
Successful podcasts frequently generate:
Advertising revenue
Streaming partnerships
Subscription growth
Licensing deals
Television adaptations
Documentary spin-offs
For media companies, true crime offers unusually high engagement compared to many other content categories.
Listeners often spend hours consuming serialized investigations, making the genre highly attractive for advertisers and streaming platforms.
By consolidating “20/20” content into a single branded experience, ABC News can potentially strengthen listener loyalty while increasing monetization opportunities.
TuneIn’s Massive Global Reach Could Boost ‘20/20’ Audience Numbers
TuneIn’s international presence may also help ABC News significantly expand its global footprint.
According to company data, TuneIn reaches:
More than 75 million listeners
Audiences across 122 countries
Over 200 connected devices and vehicles
The platform is integrated into smart speakers, mobile devices, automotive systems, and connected home technology.
This accessibility could introduce “20/20” content to entirely new audiences outside traditional cable television ecosystems.
As more consumers shift away from scheduled television viewing toward on-demand streaming, audio distribution has become a critical growth area for news organizations.
Competition in the True Crime Podcast Space Intensifies
While ABC News is expanding aggressively, competition in the true crime market remains fierce.
The category includes major players such as:
Investigative journalism podcasts
Independent crime creators
Documentary streaming platforms
News organizations
Celebrity-hosted crime shows
Despite the crowded field, established journalism brands still hold a significant advantage due to their credibility, reporting resources, and access to investigative teams.
ABC News’ decades-long reputation through “20/20” gives the network a level of trust many newer creators struggle to match.
That credibility could prove especially valuable as audiences become more selective about factual accuracy and ethical storytelling in true crime content.
Ethical Questions Around True Crime Storytelling
As the genre grows, conversations surrounding ethics in true crime reporting have also intensified.
Critics often raise concerns regarding:
Victim exploitation
Sensationalism
Emotional trauma for families
Profit-driven storytelling
Accuracy and fairness
Networks like ABC News must balance audience demand with responsible journalism standards.
Programs such as “20/20” typically approach criminal investigations through traditional newsroom ethics, fact-checking, and legal review processes — elements that distinguish network journalism from some independent crime entertainment productions.
The addition of behind-the-scenes content through “The After Show Podcast” may also help audiences better understand the reporting process and editorial decision-making involved in these investigations.
Audio Journalism Is Entering a New Era
The rise of channels like “20/20 True Crime” highlights a broader transformation happening across the media industry.
Audio journalism is no longer limited to radio broadcasts or simple podcast uploads. Media companies are now building complete ecosystems around audio storytelling.
These ecosystems often include:
Serialized investigations
Companion podcasts
Video integration
Interactive listener experiences
Smart speaker accessibility
Multi-platform distribution
For audiences, this means greater flexibility in how they consume news and entertainment.
For media organizations, it creates opportunities to extend storytelling far beyond traditional broadcast schedules.
ABC News Continues Reinventing a Legendary Brand
“20/20” has remained one of the most recognizable investigative journalism programs in America for nearly five decades.
Rather than relying solely on television audiences, ABC News is actively modernizing the franchise for today’s digital-first consumers.
The TuneIn launch demonstrates how legacy media brands are adapting to changing audience behavior without abandoning traditional journalism values.
By embracing podcasts, streaming audio, and multi-platform storytelling, ABC News is ensuring that “20/20” remains relevant in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
The Future of Investigative Audio Content
Industry experts believe the next phase of podcasting will focus heavily on premium storytelling and branded content ecosystems.
Rather than standalone podcast episodes, companies are moving toward integrated channels that combine:
Archive content
Original reporting
Companion discussions
Live programming
Exclusive interviews
The “20/20 True Crime” channel fits squarely within that trend.
As audience demand for immersive journalism grows, more major news organizations may follow a similar strategy by consolidating their investigative content into branded streaming destinations.
Final Thoughts
ABC News’ launch of the “20/20 True Crime” channel on TuneIn signals another major evolution in the booming true crime media landscape.
By combining podcasts, television episode audio, and behind-the-scenes reporting into one unified destination, the network is creating a richer and more accessible experience for listeners.
The move also reflects a broader industry shift toward on-demand audio journalism, where audiences increasingly expect flexibility, depth, and binge-worthy storytelling.
With true crime continuing to dominate streaming charts worldwide, the partnership between ABC News and TuneIn could become a powerful model for the future of investigative media distribution.
As competition intensifies across podcasting and digital journalism, one thing remains clear: audiences still can’t get enough of compelling real-life investigations — and ABC News is making sure “20/20” stays at the center of that conversation.
