True Crimes

True crime programming has existed for nearly a century. Audiences have been captivated by the deep dive into the psychology of some of the world’s most twisted minds, as well as the examination of court procedures and federal investigations, providing a unique blend of entertainment and education. It’s a genre that’s taken many forms, ranging from brutal killings and kidnappings to robbery and deception. True crime has recently exploded in popularity on the internet, with Twitch and YouTube becoming go-to destinations for mini-documentaries, breakdowns, and commentary.

True crime content was consumed in the form of Dateline NBC segments, Netflix documentaries, novels, and procedural dramas such as Law & Order until it became the next big thing on Twitch and YouTube. While those shows were extremely popular, they lacked the depth necessary to allow viewers to connect with the stories on a personal level. They don’t give the audience the same opportunities to interact and reflect as true crime content on the internet.

JCS (Jim Can’t Swim) is a true crime YouTube channel dedicated to criminal psychology and the investigation process. During police interrogations, the channel’s videos frequently pause, dissecting every technique and strategy as if it were a fine art. In terms of original true crime content on the internet, the channel has become one of the most popular.

True crime content isn’t new to the internet, but on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, it’s taken on a whole new meaning. The genre experienced a massive reappearance this summer, with some of the most well-known content creators promoting it to their audiences. In just 19 videos, the JCS YouTube channel has received over 280,000,000 views. With streamers like Valkyrae, xQc, HasanAbi, and countless others streaming its uploads, the channel became a major source for true crime content.

The emphasis on the interrogation process sets JCS apart from other network true crime shows. The videos frequently use footage from real police interrogations to dissect interrogation techniques. JCS highlighted Chris Watts’ posture, mannerisms, and language choice in their video about him, who was found guilty of murdering his wife and two children.

True crime co-streaming has become the “meta” (a term used in the Twitch/YouTube communities for “fad”) for content creators. These watch-alongs gave creators a new way to interact with their audiences while also learning more about the dangers that lurk in the world around us. It also created a previously unexplored environment for true crime content consumption.

For many people, true crime is unsettling for a variety of reasons, one of which is the unsettling nature of it all. It’s easy to feel uneasy when reading an article about home invasions or watching a video about people being kidnapped in broad daylight. On the other hand, the communal aspect of watching the content with a group of others makes it a little more bearable.

Ericka “Boze” Bozeman is an online creator who has been producing true crime content for over five years on her YouTube and Twitch channels. She put the pedal to the metal almost a year ago and started streaming on a regular basis. Back then, her streams would attract a few hundred viewers. Boze’s true crime livestreams now have a few thousand simultaneous viewers. I spoke with Boze about her experience producing true crime content and the genre’s recent resurgence.

In Boze’s streams and videos, there’s a strong emphasis on making the content a learning experience. Though her enthusiasm and excitement are undoubtedly appealing to viewers, so is her commitment to ensuring that any topic she chooses to cover provides valuable takeaways. This is demonstrated in a video in which she explains why she won’t be covering the case of Gabby Petito, a woman who went missing and was later discovered dead after going on a hiking trip with her boyfriend. Boze criticizes those who use true crime stories to simply boost their own clout and garner views in the video.

True crime can serve as a cautionary tale, but there is a point at which caution turns into paranoia. As someone who consumes an excessive amount of true crime content, I was curious if Boze ever felt tense or uneasy as a result of it.

Another Twitch channel that specializes in true crime content is The Harry Horror Show, though its motivation is a little different. Harry favors content that forces viewers to question their own biases and worldviews. It’s a concept we discussed during an interview.

Matt Orchard got his start in true crime content by making a comedic parody of JCS’ videos. The video attracted the interest of the JCS channel’s producers, who asked Matt to show them a breakdown of a real police interrogation. Even though the partnership did not last, it was enough to encourage Orchard to continue making true crime videos.

Orchard imitates this style in his videos, pausing frequently to delve into different psychological concepts or intricate aspects of an investigation. It’s a formula that clearly works with audiences, as evidenced by the high levels of retention in videos that are far longer than the average internet clip. Matt Orchard was asked if he would ever consider doing live streamed content. If he did, he said it wouldn’t be on his main channel because his viewers have come to expect few uploads of high quality and production value.

Matt told me that when it comes to true crime, he is drawn to stories that are ambiguous and may not have a clear conclusion at the end. Instead, viewers must examine all of the data presented to them and come to their own conclusions.

True crime has long been a staple of daytime network television, but on YouTube and Twitch, it’s taken on a new life. Content is being reshaped by creators to make it more appealing, intriguing, and informative to audiences.