ION Television now owns all seven seasons (156 episodes) of Cold Case, in a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. The series will join the ION Television lineup in Q1, adding to the network’s continued focus on building a strong foundation on top syndicated series.
As part of the deal, ION is also extending and expanding its rights to Warner Bros. “Without a Trace,” which has performed well for the network over the past season.
“Cold Case is a proven Warner Bros. drama which features diverse self-contained stories and a very relatable cast that resonates with our audience and fits well with our syndicated series expansion strategy,” says Brandon Burgess, CEO, ION Media Networks. “ION’s goal is to offer a 24/7 quality entertainment schedule, one with the breadth and quality that also allows us to seamlessly add original series.”
“Cold Case” aired for seven seasons on CBS, concluding in 2010. It’s a procedural drama about Lilly Rush (Kathryn Morris), a dedicated female detective in the Philadelphia homicide squad, who finds her niche when she’s assigned to “cold cases” — crimes that have never been solved. Previously, she used her instinctive understanding of the criminal mind on current murders. Now, she’s interrogating witnesses whose lives and circumstances have since changed, making use of today’s new science and finding fresh clues to solve cases that were previously unsolvable — all of which appeals to this smart, driven detective.
Rush’s team includes her respected mentor, Lt. John Stillman (John Finn); Det. Scotty Valens (Danny Pino), Rush’s confident and strong-willed partner; Det. Will Jeffries (Thom Barry), who’s been around long enough to serve as Rush’s link to the past; Det. Nick Vera (Jeremy Ratchford), a tough cop who’s considered the go-to guy for getting a confession; and, later, Kat Miller (Tracie Thoms), a new member of the team who is eager to prove her worthiness.
