Jellysmack has acquired Law&Crime Network, the legal and true-crime video network and production company headed by Dan Abrams.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed; Jellysmack said Law&Crime Network is the company’s largest acquisition to date. Recent deals include Jellysmack’s investment in creator commerce platform Fourthwall; its deal to buy creator-development community Network Media; and its acquisition of AI video editing company Kamua.
As part of the acquisition, the company will expand its production arm, Law&Crime Productions, which has sold programming to partners including Hulu, Netflix, HBO, A+E Networks, Discovery ID and Fox. The studio’s latest HBO docuseries, “Unveiled,” was recently nominated for an Emmy. A+E Networks was an investor in Law&Crime.
Founded in 2016, Jellysmack focuses on optimizing and distributing video content across platforms. Jellysmack’s roster of true-crime and mystery creators include Bailey Sarian, MrBallen, Kendall Rae and Christina Randall, alongside others including MrBeast, Brad Mondo and PewDiePie. The acquisition also opens up new opportunities for Jellysmack’s creator partners to collaborate with Law&Crime Productions.
Law&Crime Network claims to have the No. 1 YouTube channel for live trial footage and other true crime-related content, with more than 3 billion views since launching in 2015 and over 5 million subscribers.
Abrams said in a statement, “I’m excited to join forces with a team that has demonstrated unparalleled expertise in maximizing the reach and impact of digital content. Together, we can take the Law&Crime Network to new heights, reaching a global audience that is increasingly hungry for captivating legal and true crime stories.”
Jellysmack president Sean Atkins commented, “Dan Abrams’ expertise and his network’s impressive track record in legal and true crime storytelling make it a perfect fit for Jellysmack and creates exciting new synergies and opportunities for our creators.”
Law&Crime’s founding team will remain in place with Abrams as CEO, Rachel Stockman as president, and Andrew Eisbrouch as COO and general counsel. In the transaction, Law&Crime was represented by Nick Rueter of Morris, Manning & Martin and Jellysmack was represented by Serge Benchetrit of Willkie Farr and Gallagher.
