When Katz Broadcasting decided to create spinoff channels after the success of Bounce TV, they decided to create two channels, one aimed at men and another aimed at women. The channel aimed at men ended up being Grit, while the channel aimed at women ended up being called Escape. Escape specialized in True Crime documentary series, most notably the show 72 Hours: True Crime as well as mystery and thriller movies, mostly based on Mary Higgins Clark books.
Eventually, E.W. Scripps decided to buy Katz Broadcasting, getting Escape along with its other channels, though Katz would remain in charge. The channel was eventually rebranded as Mystery and focused on true crime and forensic documentaries, as well as cheap procedurals, increasing ratings. When it was decided to bring back Court TV, Mystery was rebranded as Court TV Mystery, in order to increase corporate synergy. The channel became bolstered with several big name syndicated cop shows, including the original Law & Order and all the CSI shows.
In 2021, Scripps ended up purchasing Ion Media, putting all of their channels under the Ion banner, separating Court TV from Court TV Mystery in many markets. This ended up confusing a lot of viewers, so the channel underwent another name change to become Ion Mystery, tying it together with the new parent channel, which was already well known for Police Procedural shows.
Current Programming:
- Bones
- Corrupt Crimes
- Crime 360
- Crime Stories
- CSI
- CSI: Miami
- Forensic Files
- I Killed My BFF
- Leverage
- The Listener
- MacGyver (2016)
- Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force
- Midsomer Murders
- Murderous Affairs
- NCIS: New Orleans
- Republic of Doyle
- Scorpion
- Swift Justice with Nancy Grace
Former Programming:
- American Greed
- Born Behind Bars
- Cheaters
- Crime Watch Daily
- CSI: New York
- Da Vinci's Inquest
- The First 48
- Law & Order
- Scandal
- Someone They Knew with Tamron Hall
- Unsolved Mysteries
