investigationdiscovery.com

Crime shows are a suspenseful guilty pleasure. The lineup of crime shows is quite grim, with stories of husband killing wives, wives stabbing husband, stalkers, kidnappers, and murderers. While the element of suspense and shock value is something all of us can't get enough of, it's also a very dangerous hobby. Most of us enjoy these exhilarating storylines with twisting tale. Thankfully, I'm not the only one with ID Syndrome, there are millions who tune in which makes Investigation Discovery one of the most viewed TV channels in the world.

Investigation Discovery is a cable network that is experiencing a steep decline in viewership, however it manages to stick around due to its consistently high ranking among female viewers between the 24-54 age group. Though the majority of its viewers are grown-up women, men also watch Investigation Discovery.

Investigation Discovery has become so popular in recent years that celebrities such as Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, and Serena Williams have admitted their addiction towards this documentary-style reenactment of true crime.

Numbers Don?t Lie

Nielsen reports that Investigation Discovery ended Q4, 2015 as the most-watched cable network with the advertisement among women between 25-54 age group. The channel had nearly 900,000 viewers in prime time and the number has been growing 10% per year ever since. It is amongst the very few channels to have consistently landed in the Top 20 channels list having launched just 15 years ago.

Welcome to the online spectrum

97% of users reported that they had switched to a streaming service in the last 12 months. With the rise of online streaming services, the Cable TV business is experiencing a steep fall. Users are switching to services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu as opposed to maintaining their regular Cable TV or Satellite TV connection. This shift can be summarized in a review on Influenster.com. 97% of users reported that they had switched to a streaming service in the last 12 months. I'm disappointed that Investigation Discovery is no longer available on our TV due to the lack of DirecTV or Dish Network. I'm grateful for other streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime which allow me to watch some of my favorite shows. However, I miss the days when I could binge watch every show on Investigation Discovery.

This article provides an overview of the current state of viewership and how it is affecting various media companies. Investors are reacting strongly to the change, with traditional media stocks experiencing heavy losses. However, there are some good news stories in this story; namely that Investigation Discovery has launched its own streaming service, which eliminates the need for cable or satellite TV. This service is available at investigativediscovery.com, so viewers can access it anywhere they have internet access and at any time.

History

Investigation Discovery, or DCN, is a television network that was launched in 1996 and is one of the four crucial digital networks that Discovery Corporation founded in 1996. Eight years ago, NY Times Television and Discovery Communications entered into a joint venture to run the channel together. Till 2002, this channel was available in 14 million households with partnerships focusing on creating content such as history shows, contemporary history, and current affairs.

In 2003, the channel was rebranded to Discovery Times which signaled a shift in content - focusing on the culture of the United States. In 2006, NY Times sold its stake in Discovery Time back to Discovery Communications which granted the original creator complete freedom. Empowered by this, in January 2008, Investigation Discovery (ID) rebranded as a solely crime-focused channel with a renewed focus on real-life crime stories.

In 2018, ID became the sixth most viewed channel in a cable network, second-highest-rated cable network among women, and #1 in the true crime genre.

Design

Investigation Discovery has a clean design. All of the elements are well arranged, making it easy to browse around. The website's space blue background with white text looks great together, and the pink CTA buttons for ?Watch Now? make things even more special. There is a proper flow throughout the website, with little details such as the pink drop-down arrow for ?Shows? being marked clearly. Such intricate elements are present throughout the website - starting with the homepage. As you scroll down, you can see two small thumbnails categorized as Unlocked Episodes, ID Go Original Series, Rediscover Unlock Series to name a few. These are in a slider format, and clicking the arrow will open a trailer for another show. Once again, you can see a pink vertical line accompanying the title, which keeps the flow even.

The user-interaction banner before the footer is well done with a transparent blue box with the headline "Have A Tip?" followed by white texts and a pink CTA. The color flows smoothly in each element which glue the entire website together.

Finally, near the bottom of the page, you can see the partner channels followed by a newsletter subscription call-out. Both of which have high design value without obstructing the flow. Moving on to the footer, you can see associated platforms along with our sites and general communication guidelines.

The main element of the streaming experience is the same, and content can be viewed once it's linked with your TV service provider.

Content

Investigation Discovery is by far the most extensive library of crime-themed programs on the internet. With over 5,000 episodes, you can't go wrong with starting with their ID channel. From the viewer's favorite show, "Homicide Hunter," to shows such as "Evil Lies Here?" and "Disappeared?" which are critically acclaimed, Investigation Discovery has something for everyone who loves true crime. This channel is an amazing way to get lost in the storylines and witness a marvelous viewing experience. You can have any streaming network you want, but if you want to watch documentaries-styled shows with high production values and exceptionally reenactment, you won't be able to do so on any of the networks. The production value and the extra-ordinary reenactment are what set these shows apart from the rest. Every dollar spent on an episode costs around $300,000 - ten times more than average TV show production costs.

Despite being popular among fans, ID's popularity is what's providing it the much-needed boost amidst adversity. Passionate fans of ID are not willing to switch to streaming services because of this channel, which tells us something about their commitment. Shows such as ?Body Cam?, ?Caught on Camera: The Untold Stories?, ?Shattered?, ?American Monster? and ?People Magazine Investigates? are some of the shows viewed in large numbers.

Titles that grab your attention

So, there?s definitely something for everyone. Both "Can't really call it a clickbait when the content inside is top-notch" and "So there's definitely something for everyone" are true.

Desktop/Mobile experience

Investigation Discovery is not just a channel, but rather a community of people who enjoy true crime stories. You can see case studies, stories, and reading material on the website. These immersive and compelling true crime stories wake up the detective in you, whether you're streaming Investigation Discovery from your PC/Mac or watching it on your television or mobile phone. You'll be hooked!

Why most users stream through ID Go?

Streaming allows you to watch the website featuring thousands of episodes. You can binge-watch full seasons and access the early premieres of nail-biting crime shows through a well-designed app. No matter where you are, you can watch Investigation Discovery through the ID Go app. All of the content that airs on television is available on the app the same day, so there's no chance of missing an episode.

With the ID Go app, you can pick up where you left off and not miss a beat. Additionally, the app allows you to create your own playlist which you can watch later at your convenience.

Plans & Pricing

Investigation Discovery is available for free on Cable TV and Satellite TV service channels. The content can be browsed through the website or ID Go app on Android and iOS.

Suggestions I have for Investigation Discovery

I think Investigation Discovery should be offered as an independent show. A lot of people would consider plugging it alongside other services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and DirecTV. If the developers focus on this aspect, they could capture a large number of audiences.

Conclusion

Investigation Discovery has taught me to question everyone and everything, even if it seems silly at first. Chuckling - on a serious note, if you do have access to cable TV or satellite TV network, I would urge you to enjoy Investigation Discovery through the website and ID Go App.