The Weekly Drop: January 5-11, 2026 New True Crime Premieres & Episodes
- The Emerald Sleuth
- 7 days ago
- 8 min read
Welcome back, couch detectives. The first full week of January wastes no time getting back to business. The January 5–11 lineup brings a mix of new true crime premieres & episodes, spread across multiple platforms and release styles. Whether you’re tracking fresh investigations, ongoing courtroom fallout, or cases resurfacing with new context, this week’s drop lays out what’s arriving, when it lands, and where to watch; so your queue stays organized and your watch time isn’t left to chance.
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While I track every release as carefully as possible, schedules can shift and networks occasionally update listings without notice. If something is missing or changes, feel free to let me know in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
Monday
January 5th, 2026
Live PD: Greatest Shifts
Live PD: Greatest Shifts airs Monday with two back-to-back new episodes (Episode 32 and Episode 33) airing on A&E starting at 9 p.m. ET, followed by the second episode at 10 p.m. ET. A&E lists “Stream Next Day” availability on its site and app for on-demand viewing.
The series revisits the most intense and memorable moments from Live PD, presenting real police encounters through curated footage and commentary.
Tuesday
January 6th, 2026
The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story
The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story is a three-part documentary miniseries premiering January 6, 2026 on Investigation Discovery. The series revisits the 2001 case in which Andrea Yates drowned her five children, a crime that has long been examined through the lens of severe mental illness and the criminal justice system.
This series widens the frame to explore the influence of Michael Woroniecki, a fringe street preacher whose teachings and control tactics are presented as a significant factor in shaping Yates’s beliefs and psychological state. Through archival footage and interviews with family members, individuals connected to the group, and experts on coercive control, the documentary examines how ideological manipulation can exacerbate existing mental health crises and distort reality for vulnerable individuals.
All three episodes air consecutively on Tuesday, January 6, from 8–11 p.m. ET on ID. Episodes will be available to stream on Max following the broadcast.
Head to January’s Surveillance Report for the trailer and full details.
Wednesday
January 7th, 2026
Alaska State Troopers
Alaska State Troopers Season 9, Episode 1 ("Summer Solstice") premieres Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET on A&E, with next-day streaming availability.
Alaska State Troopers follows law enforcement officers responsible for policing one of the largest and most remote jurisdictions in the United States. Using ride-alongs and field footage, each episode captures criminal investigations, search and rescue operations, and emergency responses shaped by extreme weather, vast distances, and limited resources.
View the season premiere trailer in January’s Surveillance Report.
Ozark Law
Ozark Law Season 2, Episode 1 ("Welcome Back to the Lake") premieres Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET on A&E, with next-day streaming availability.
Ozark Law returns for its second season, continuing to follow the Lake Ozark and Osage Beach Police Departments as they police one of Missouri’s busiest tourist destinations. Set during peak tourist season, the series documents responses to boating incidents, alcohol-related offenses, large-scale holiday crowds, and routine patrols intensified by a surge of visitors. The season also examines pressures facing local agencies, including the challenges of onboarding new officers and navigating legal disputes that affect policing tools and authority.
Watch the season premiere trailer via January’s Surveillance Report.
Desert Law
Desert Law Season 1, Episode 1 (“Welcome to Pima County”) premieres Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET on A&E, with next-day streaming availability.
Desert Law is a new true crime series following the Pima County Sheriff’s Department as deputies patrol more than 9,000 square miles of desert terrain in southern Arizona. Filmed primarily during overnight hours, the series documents patrol operations, DUI enforcement, and investigative work in and around Tucson, highlighting the logistical and environmental challenges of policing a vast and rugged region. Episodes track responses ranging from routine traffic enforcement to serious criminal incidents in remote areas.
The trailer for this brand new series is available in January’s Surveillance Report.
Body Cam
Body Cam S10, Episode 5 ("Murder In Progress") airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery (streams next day on Max).
Body Cam uses real body-worn camera footage to document hazardous situations encountered by law enforcement. Each episode pairs the video with firsthand accounts from the officers involved, offering additional context about the split-second decisions made in the moment.
The Murder Tapes
The Murder Tapes Season 10, Episode 5 (“Between Friends”) airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery (streams the next day on Max).
The Murder Tapes uses real investigative footage to follow homicide cases from the initial call to their resolution. Episodes combine bodycam video, surveillance recordings, and interrogation-room footage to show how investigators gathered and interpreted evidence throughout the case. The series presents a chronological view of each investigation and highlights both the process and the impact on the families involved.
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered Season 16, Episode 8 (“A Deal with the Devil”) airs Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with next-day streaming availability.
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered revisits cases previously featured on Dateline, returning to the evidence with updated context and additional perspective. Episodes re-examine investigations that unfolded over long periods of time, incorporating archival reporting alongside new interviews with those closest to the cases. The series focuses on how overlooked details, evolving forensic methods, and delayed revelations reshaped outcomes that once seemed unresolved or misunderstood.
Harlan Coben’s Final Twist
Harlan Coben’s Final Twist Season 1, Episode 1 (“Billy & Billie Jean”) premieres Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS, with live and on-demand streaming available via Paramount+.
Harlan Coben’s Final Twist is a true crime documentary series that examines real cases involving murder, deception, and unresolved questions. Hosted by novelist Harlan Coben, the series applies a narrative framework drawn from his fiction writing to factual investigations, focusing on how hidden motives, false assumptions, and overlooked details influenced case outcomes. Each episode revisits a single case using interviews and archival material to explore competing narratives and gaps in the public understanding of the crime.
The trailer is available in January’s Surveillance Report.
Thursday
January 8th, 2026
The First 48
The First 48 Season 29, Episode 2 (“Betrayal”) will air Thursday at 8 p.m ET on A&E with next day streaming on the A&E app.
The First 48 is a long-running documentary series that follows homicide detectives during the critical first two days after a murder, when time-sensitive evidence, witness cooperation, and investigative momentum matter most. Through real-time casework, forensic analysis, and interrogations, the series documents how quickly leads can emerge or disappear as investigators work to prevent cases from going cold.
Crime in Progress
Crime in Progress Season 1, Episode 2 (“The Roommate Killer”) airs at 10 p.m. ET on A&E streams next day on the A&E app.
Crime in Progress is a documentary series that follows criminal investigations in real time using only body cam, dash cam, and surveillance footage. With no narration or reenactments, each episode tracks a case from the initial 911 call through investigative decisions and courtroom outcomes, presenting an unfiltered view of how cases unfold as events happen and choices are made under pressure.
View the trailer in January's Surveillance Report.
Dateline: Unforgettable
Dateline: Unforgettable Season 7, Episode 8 (“Wreckage”) airs Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with next-day streaming availability.
Dateline: Unforgettable revisits select cases from the Dateline archive through the perspective of the correspondents who originally reported them. Rather than re-presenting the investigations in full, the series reflects on why certain cases endured — whether due to unexpected turns, unresolved questions, or the lasting impact on victims’ families and those who worked the cases. Episodes focus on the emotional, investigative, and human elements that continued to resonate long after the initial reporting ended.
Friday
January 9th, 2026
ABC 20/20
20/20 returns with an all-new special this week ("Badass Detective" Season 48/Episode 12) airing on Friday, at 9 E.T. on ABC.
The episode examines the brutal murder of a young mother and the questions that followed, focusing on her ex-boyfriend and his new fiancée as investigators work to uncover what secrets may lie beneath the surface.
20/20 is ABC’s long-running investigative newsmagazine series, known for its in-depth reporting on high-profile crimes, criminal investigations, and complex legal cases. Through interviews, courtroom records, and investigative journalism, the program provides detailed examinations of how crimes unfold and how the justice system responds.
The episode will also be available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu following its ABC broadcast.
Trailer available here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17ajproYP5/
Saturday
January 10th, 2026
Cold Justice
Season 8 (“Inside the Investigation 808") will air Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with streaming availability following the network premiere. This special episode offers additional insights and behind-the-scenes details from the case.
Cold Justice follows former prosecutor Kelly Siegler and a team of seasoned investigators as they partner with local law enforcement to work active and long-dormant homicide cases. The series focuses on evidence review, field investigation, and collaborative detective work aimed at moving real cases closer to resolution.
Accident, Suicide or Murder
Accident, Suicide or Murder Season 6, Episode 8 (“Groomed to Death”) airs Saturday, at 8 p.m. ET on Oxygen with streaming available on the Oxygen app and website thereafter.
The series reexamines suspicious deaths where the cause is unclear, following investigators as they work to determine whether a life was lost by accident, by self-harm, or at the hands of someone else.
Accused: The Karen Read Story
Accused: The Karen Read Story is a feature-length Lifetime original docu-drama premiering January 10, 2026. The film is based on the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, who was found unresponsive outside a residence in Canton, Massachusetts, and the subsequent charges brought against Karen Read, who has maintained her innocence.
The film focuses on the investigation, legal proceedings, and public reaction surrounding the case, examining how the prosecution and defense unfolded amid intense media coverage, community division, and expanding national attention. Rather than presenting a single conclusion, the docu-drama centers on the contested narrative of the case and the broader questions raised by the handling of the investigation and trials.
View the trailer in January’s Surveillance Report.
Sunday
January 11th, 2026
Snapped
Snapped Season 36, Episode 2 (“Elizabeth Carserino”) airs Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with streaming available on the Oxygen App.
Snapped is a long-running true crime series that examines cases involving women accused of murder, focusing on personal histories, relationships, and the circumstances that led to the crime. Through interviews, recreations, and firsthand accounts, the series traces how investigations unfolded and how motives emerged as each case came to light.
Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins
Season 4, Episode 10 ("A Suitcase of Secrets") airs Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with streaming availability on the Oxygen app and website after broadcast.
Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins explores cases where romantic or personal relationships unravel into violence. Former Manhattan prosecutor Faith Jenkins guides each episode, using her legal background to examine how trust, affection, and intimacy shifted toward jealousy, manipulation, and murder. Through interviews with families, friends, and law enforcement, the series traces each story from its promising beginnings to its fatal end.
Wrapping Up: January 5-11, 2026 New True Crime Premieres & Episodes
That wraps the confirmed true crime premieres and returning episodes scheduled for the week ahead. From brand-new cases to investigations still unfolding, this Weekly Drop keeps your watchlist organized and the timing clear.
January’s Surveillance Report is now live, offering a full month-long overview of new true crime releases, platforms, air dates, and upcoming documentaries. For a look back at what aired last month, December’s Surveillance Report is still available.
If a new release surfaces or something was overlooked, leave a comment and I’ll update the list.
All social links are below if you’d like to follow along, join the discussion, or stay current as new cases drop.
See you next week,
