NBC Universal to Raid Vault for Sleuth Channel

NBC Universal said it would dig into Universal’s vast vault of treasured TV shows and films to build Sleuth, a new cable channel designed to appeal to fans of mystery and crime genres.

Sleuth is expected to be launched Jan. 1 and will initially be available in about 5 million homes with Time Warner Cable service. It joins General Electric Co.’s other cable channels -- USA, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC and Sci Fi.

The company also co-owns, with producer Dick Wolf, the “Law & Order” franchise. NBC Universal said “Law & Order” would not initially be part of the lineup, which will include such shows as “Miami Vice” and “The A-Team” and movies including “Casino” and “Scarface.”

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-- Meg James