It is the end of an era at truTV, as its daytime trial coverage will formally end on the channel starting Monday, September 30. “In Session,” truTV’s daytime trial programming, will have its last day on truTV be Friday, a spokesperson confirms to TVNewser.
Starting Monday, the “In Session” block will instead feature longform crime programming from its library under the banner “In Session Presents…”
The reasoning for the latest change is “to provide a better flow into the rest of truTV’s daytime lineup,” which has programming largely incongruous with the courtroom coverage.
“In Session” faced cutbacks in March of this year, with a handful of “In Session” production staffers laid off. It had previously been a live, six-hour weekday block of trial programming, but was cut to a two-hour taped format, airing from 9-11 AM, and anchored by Vinnie Politan. Sister network HLN assumed production responsibilities for the block in 2009.
“In Session” had been the last vestige of Court TV, which Turner Broadcasting re-branded as truTV in 2008. Even as truTV itself pivoted from being a channel about real-life stories to a channel with pawn shop reality shows and hidden camera prank programs, “In Session” remained, in part to fill demand for daytime courtroom programming, and in part to fulfill contractual obligations with distributors.
“In Session” viewers are being directed to HLN for their trial coverage fix, although with new leadership there, the future of TV court coverage could be in flux soon.