Chris Hansen now catching predators in broad daylight | New York Post
“Crime Watch Daily” has a new host — and a new name.
Last season’s breakout syndicated hit will be hosted by former “Dateline” correspondent Chris Hansen when it returns Sept. 12 as “Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen.”
Hansen, 56, made his mark on “Dateline” with his “To Catch a Predator” segments, which ensnared 300 Internet child sex predators on-camera over a five-year period (2004-2009).
The segment, now called “Hansen vs. Predator,” will be part of the rebranded show.
“It’s the same sort of thing,” Hansen says. “Imagine that when we first did the ‘Predator’ investigations [on NBC] we had decoys on chat rooms on AOL and Yahoo — now there are so many social media platforms and so many more places where potential predators can reach out to kids.
“And we show that,” he says. “We already did [a ‘Hansen vs. Predator’] segment in Fairfield, Ct. where we ensnared a Boston insurance executive and a guy who was commuting on the train from Connecticut to New York City.”
Hansen will anchor “Crime Watch Daily” from New York, with reporters Matt Doran, Jason Mattera, Ana Garcia, Andrea Isom and Michelle Sigona all returning.
“I’ll also be traveling and doing stories,” he says. “I’m going to be very involved in terms of reporting and getting inteviews we want to get. I think that’s why I add value to the show — I’ve got 34 years of reporting crime and breaking news; if I call the sheriff’s department in NY or in Michigan they take the call, so we get access.
“People let me into their lives, whether it’s a tragic or victorious circumstance,” he says. “I’ve been at this a long time and people have a certain level of trust in me.”
Hansen will continue hosting his ID series, “Killer Instinct,” which is in its second season.
“Crime Watch Daily” was TV’s first daytime true-crime show when it premiered last fall. It averaged 1.4 million viewers as last season’s top-rated new syndicated show and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination.
The show moves to 1 p.m. on WPIX/Ch. 11 when it returns for Season 2 next month.
“It was a hit show before I got there and I want to make it better,” says Hansen. “I’ll be interjecting my personality and there’s a certain demographic of viewer who appreciates that.”
I wonder if this is the announcement...was hoping it was its own show, but segments work I guess.