MUMBAI: Crime and Investigation Network, a flagship channel of media content company A+E Networks, has launched in the Middle East with distribution platform OSN.

The launch marks the debut of the channel in the region.

Crime and Investigation Network will be offered as part of OSN?s Platinum Extra HD and Premier Plus HD packages. The channel is programmed and operated in the Middle East by A+E Networks UK, a joint venture between A+E Networks and BSkyB.

The launch in the Middle East marks the third new territory launch for Crime and Investigation Network this year. The channel launched in Spain in January and in the Benelux in June.

The growth of Crime and Investigation Network extends to South East Asia, where subscribers are up 38 per cent since January. Announcements about additional new territory launches are expected by the end of the year.

Crime and Investigation Network is unmatched in the variety of premiere crime programming on offer. The channel will feature a line-up of true crime series and specials such as ?The FBI Files?, ?The First 48? and ?Steven Seagal: Lawman?.

Crime and Investigation Network opens the door to real crime labs, police archives and the justice system, providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at criminal investigations, probing unexplained mysteries and examining the lives of infamous murderers and outlaws. As police work to ?crack? some of the world?s most fascinating crimes, viewers witness first-hand how law enforcement agencies utilise detective work and the latest forensic investigation tools to solve cases.

A+E Networks UK MD Tom Davidson said, "We are delighted to enhance our portfolio offering with OSN. Crime and Investigation Network has joined HISTORY on the platform and is now available for the first time to subscribers in the Middle East. Extending our distribution for this channel is a priority for our business and OSN is an ideal partner given their strong emphasis on delivering quality content to their subscribers in the region."

OSN CEO David Butorac said, "We?re delighted to announce the addition of Crime and Investigation Network to OSN, the leading pay-TV network in the Middle East and Africa. We are committed to delivering OSN customers the widest choice of high quality Arabic, Western and Filipino entertainment and we believe that Crime and Investigation Network is a great addition to our 90 channel line-up of premium entertainment."

Crime and Investigation Network is the second A+E Networks brand to launch in the region; History launched in the Middle East in 2002, and is operated by A+E Networks UK.

In the UK, Crime and Investigation Network launched in July 2006. The channel first launched in Australia on FoxTel in 2005, and is now available in 98 territories, reaching over 39 million households.