(NEW YORK, JANUARY 9, 2017)— PEOPLE MAGAZINE INVESTIGATES, a partnership between America's leading mystery and suspense network, Investigation Discovery (ID), and Time Inc.’s People, America's leading multimedia brand mixing entertainment news, lifestyle coverage and human interest reporting, has received an early greenlight from ID for a sophomore season. Drawing from the reporting of People's award-winning and accomplished true crime editorial team, the series delves into extraordinary tales of ordinary people thrust into the national spotlight, reported by the leading crime journalists in the nation today. The series received a full 10-episode second season, expected to premiere in late 2017.

PEOPLE MAGAZINE INVESTIGATES has been a strong performer for ID, averaging more than 1.3 million viewers P2+ and becoming a cornerstone of the fall/winter schedule. The series hit a high point (L+3 to date) of 1.6 million for the December 26 episode, The Grim Sleeper.

“We at ID are absolutely thrilled with both the performance of PEOPLE MAGAZINE INVESTIGATES and the unique partnership we’ve enjoyed with the terrific team of reporters and editors at People,” said Henry Schleiff, Group President of Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel and Destination America. “The series quickly became one of our top performers this fall – with more than 13 million unique viewers sampling the series throughout its run to date – and we’re looking forward to exploring more cases of true life mysteries with the incredible editorial team at People.”

“The success of the show is a testament to the power of the People brand across all mediums; including long-form programming,” says Jess Cagle, Editor in Chief of People and Editorial Director of the Time Inc. Style and Entertainment Group. “ID’s smart, collaborative and strategic team is truly remarkable, and so is the impressive People staff, which brings People’s trusted storytelling and reporting expertise to all our platforms every day. I am so proud of my colleagues at People and grateful to ID for leveraging People’s valuable brand and talent so beautifully."

The Accused, the season one finale of PEOPLE MAGAZINE INVESTIGATES airs tonight at 10/9c exclusively on ID; the after show on Time Inc.’s People/Entertainment Weekly Network (PEN), featuring an exclusive interview with Jeffrey MacDonald’s wife Kathryn MacDonald, debuts immediately following.

THE ACCUSED – Monday, January 9: In 1970, Jeffrey MacDonald, a Green Beret surgeon stationed at Fort Bragg, is the only survivor of a brutal home invasion that claims the lives of his wife and two young daughters. But authorities doubt his story of Charles Manson-inspired hippies and believe MacDonald is the true culprit. This is just the beginning of a nearly fifty year battle, full of twists and turns, between investigators determined to keep MacDonald behind bars, and a man determined to prove his innocence.

To see the exclusive People/Entertainment Weekly Network (PEN) after show featuring People editors, show producers and Kathryn MacDonald go to PEOPLE.com/PEN, or download the PEN app on Apple TV, Roku Players, Amazon Fire TV, Xumo, Chromecast, iOS and Android devices for the full after show.

The first season of PEOPLE MAGAZINE INVESTIGATES took viewers to the heart of America’s most controversial crimes, featuring archival footage, recreations and interviews with key players in the investigations. From the Long Island Serial Killer case, where new updates were uncovered exclusively by People reporters; and the "Grim Sleeper," where one of People's journalists worked the case from the beginning, interviewing victims and families and connecting the killings that were occurring in Los Angeles; to the infamous MacDonald Family murders and more, People's own trusted journalists divulged new facts while revealing the shocking twists and unexpected resolutions that occurred while they were investigating each emotionally riveting case.

PEOPLE MAGAZINE INVESTIGATES is produced for Investigation Discovery by Radley Studios and People Productions with Donnie Eichar, Brandon Hill, Chad Itskowitz for Radley and Jess Cagle, Dan Wakeford and JJ Miller serving as executive producers for People. For Investigation Discovery, Thomas Cutler is executive producer, Sara Kozak is senior vice president of production, Jane Latman is executive vice president of development, Kevin Bennett is general manager, and Henry Schleiff is Group President.

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ABOUT INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY 
Investigation Discovery (ID) is the leading crime and justice network on television and one of America’s fastest growing cable networks, delivering the highest-quality programming to more than 85 million U.S. households. From harrowing crimes to the in-depth investigations and the heart-breaking mysteries that result, the always revealing network challenges our everyday understanding of culture, society and the human condition. ID’s national public affairs campaign, INSPIRE A DIFFERENCE, is designed to inform a national dialog around such topics as violence against women, domestic abuse, social and civil rights, mental health, bullying and sexual assault, while inspiring viewers to take action and make a difference in the lives of others. More information and partner resources can be found at InspireADifference.com. To learn more about ID, please visit InvestigationDiscovery.com, facebook.com/InvestigationDiscovery, or twitter.com/DiscoveryID. ID is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories. 

 

ABOUT PEOPLE 
Time Inc.'s People revolutionized personality journalism when it launched as a weekly in 1974 with a mission to celebrate extraordinary people doing ordinary things and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Ubiquitous and still at the center of pop culture more than 40 years later, the People brand is accessible across all media and platforms (print, digital, video, OTT, mobile, social) bringing more than 80 million consumers a unique mix of breaking entertainment news, exclusive photos, video, unparalleled access to the red carpet, celebrities, and in-depth reporting on the most compelling newsmakers of our time. An essential component of People's editorial vision remains human interest stories, which touch and often mirror the lives of our passionate audience. ComScore ranks the People and Entertainment Weekly Digital Network No. 1 in the entertainment news category. And now, the People/Entertainment Weekly Network app offers a free, advertiser-supported OTT streaming video service. People is an award-winning 24/7 news organization headquartered in NYC with reporters worldwide. For more information visit People.com and Timeinc.com, and follow @people on Twitter and Instagram, @peoplemag on Facebook, and the People channel on YouTube and on Snapchat's Discover.

 

CONTACT: 
Marnie Perez
People PR 
212-522-6300