Release

48 HOURS CRIMESIDER EMERGES AS THE ULTIMATE ONLINE DESTINATION FOR TRUE CRIME

Launched in June, CRIMESIDER Is Now Among the Most Popular Blogs on CBSNews.com

with Nearly 1 Million Unique Users and More than 4 Million Page Views in July


NEW YORK, Aug 25, 2009 – CBSNews.com today announced that its newest blog, 48 HOURS CRIMESIDER (www.crimesider.com), posted nearly 1 million unique users and 4.3 million page views for the month of July, and is now among the most popular blogs on CBSNews.com[1].  Launched in mid-June, CRIMESIDER delivers the latest news on the most riveting crime stories as they unfold in addition to 911 calls, police interrogation videos, car chases and crimes caught on tape.

Crimesider was created by visionary executive producer Susan Zirinsky and the team behind 48 HOURS MYSTERY, including Senior Producer Paul Ryan and Producer and Crimesider Editorial Editor Neil Katz. The blog draws on the enormous national reporting resources of CBS News, CBS Radio and CBS affiliates to bring fresh content and a local perspective to the compelling stories showcased each day on 48 HOURS MYSTERY, the highest-rated true-crime program on television. The site also brings true-crime fans into the fold through interactive elements such as Skype, Twitter and other social networking tools.

“CRIMESIDER is the only online destination for true-crime fans who want to follow the latest crime news in an environment that lets them interact and participate with the content,” said 48 HOURS MYSTERY executive producer Susan Zirinsky. “Our July traffic numbers serve as evidence to the success we’ve achieved with the blog in just two months since its launch.”

“CRIMESIDER is a great example of how we can leverage the power of the  CBS News broadcast brand to bring truly unique experiences to our audiences,” said Mark Larkin, Vice President of CBSNews.com. “The interactive nature of the blog lets us connect with an audience that is truly passionate about true-crime as demonstrated by our growing numbers.”

As an extension of 48 HOURS MYSTERY, CRIMESIDER brings fans of the show exclusive extended scenes that didn’t appear on television, as well as trailers and behind-the-scenes stories from upcoming broadcasts.

The launch of CRIMESIDER was part of a dramatic redesign of CBSNews.com, which included a completely new look and feel, more original and exclusive content from CBS News, columnists and content partners, enhanced destinations for each of its award-winning news programs and access to live coverage of breaking news and special events. According to comScore Media Metrix (July 2009), unique users for the site have increased 23% year over year, and video streams have increased 87% year-over-year (comScore VideoMetrix, July 2009).

 

 

About CBS News

CBS News is dedicated to providing the best in journalism under standards it pioneered at the dawn of radio and television and continues to set in today's digital age. Headquartered in New York, CBS News includes bureaus across the globe and influential, critically acclaimed programs providing newsmaking features and interviews, investigative reports, analysis and breaking news 24 hours a day, seven days a week, utilizing a multi-platform model for news distribution across television (CBS Television Network), radio (CBS Radio Network), the Internet (CBSNews.com) and hand-held devices (CBS Mobile). CBS News' multiple-award-winning programs include its flagship daily news program THE CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC, #1 news magazine 60 MINUTES, fastest growing network morning program THE EARLY SHOW, top-rated true-crime magazine show 48 HOURS MYSTERY, newsmaking Washington public-affairs show FACE THE NATION and #1 Sunday morning program SUNDAY MORNING. Other CBS News originals range from CBS Radio's WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP, broadcasting's longest running program, to CBSNews.com's innovative new webcasts and blogs, available at www.cbsnews.com

 


About CBS Interactive

CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation, is the best online content network for information and entertainment. With more than 200 million people visiting its properties each month, it is the 8th largest Web property globally and the 5th largest Web property in the U.S. in terms of unique video viewers. Its portfolio of leading brands, which include CNET, CBS.com, CBSSports.com, GameSpot, TV.com, BNET and Last.fm, span popular categories like technology, entertainment, sports, news and business.


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Press Contacts:

Jenifer Concepcion (CBS Interactive)           415.344.2441            Jenifer.concepcion@cbs.com

Louise Bashi (CBS News)                             212.975.2856         bashil@cbsnews.com

 

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