The world of true crime is about to look different on your phone. Forensic Files, the long-running docuseries that has been a favorite for crime enthusiasts since the 1990s, is getting a major format change. The show will soon be available in a vertical format designed specifically for smartphone viewing through a new streaming service called GammaTime.
This shift represents a significant move for the iconic series, adapting its classic storytelling style to fit how many people watch content today—on their phones, in short bursts. The agreement brings 15 of the most memorable cases from the show’s extensive library to a new audience in a fresh way.
GammaTime Partners to Bring Select Cases to Mobile Audiences
Content Partners LLC, which owns the rights to Forensic Files, has signed a licensing deal with GammaTime, a microdrama streamer that started in 2025. GammaTime focuses on vertical content made for mobile viewing and has attracted investors like Alexis Ohanian and Kris Jenner. The platform specializes in true crime, making Forensic Files a natural fit for its library.
The new adaptation will include a curated selection of 15 episodes from the original series. These episodes are being chosen from the show’s most compelling cases, picked for their tight storytelling and dramatic reveals. The goal is to keep the complete investigative stories intact while presenting them in a format that works better for scrolling through a phone.
Bill Block of GammaTime explained the reasoning behind choosing this series.
“Forensic Files is the gold standard in true crime. Each episode’s tightly structured storytelling and high-impact reveals make them perfectly suited for GammaTime vertical viewing — delivering complete, gripping true crime stories in the mobile-first format.”
The Original Show’s Legacy and Lasting Appeal
Forensic Files first aired in 1996 under the name Medical Detectives. The show ran for 14 seasons, producing over 400 episodes before its original run ended in 2011. It was created, narrated, and executive produced by Paul Dowling, with the late Peter Thomas serving as the show’s iconic narrator for most of its run. The series set the standard for true crime television, focusing on how forensic science helps solve violent crimes, mysterious accidents, and unusual cases.
The show’s style is straightforward. Each episode reconstructs real cases using interviews with investigators, forensic experts, and sometimes the people involved. Reenactments help viewers understand the science and the investigation process. The series remained popular long after it stopped making new episodes, finding new viewers through streaming platforms and cable reruns.
A revival series, Forensic Files II, ran for four seasons from 2020 to 2023 with Bill Camp as narrator. The original episodes have also been updated for modern viewing. FilmRise, which distributes the series, recently used AI technology to convert 326 episodes across 12 seasons into high definition. Those HD episodes are now available on services like The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, and Samsung TV Plus.
What the Vertical Format Means for Viewers
The vertical format is designed for people who watch videos on their phones without turning the screen sideways. GammaTime specializes in this type of content, which has become popular with shorter dramas and storytelling apps. For Forensic Files, the adaptation will keep the core of each episode intact while changing how the story is presented visually to fit a vertical screen.
Scott Hemming of Content Partners expressed confidence in the partnership.
“GammaTime is an excellent partner for expanding Forensic Files into the vertical space. Bill and the team have a deep understanding of the format and a genuine passion for true crime. We’re pleased to work with them to bring this leading flagship series to new audiences in an innovative way.”
The 15 selected episodes will come from the original series, not the newer Forensic Files II. Each episode will be adapted to maintain the detailed storytelling that fans know while optimizing the viewing experience for mobile devices. This approach allows the show to reach viewers who primarily use their phones for entertainment.
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Release Plans and Where to Watch
The vertical format episodes of Forensic Files will be available exclusively on GammaTime. The streaming service is built around short-form content, with episodes designed to be watched in vertical orientation on smartphones. The platform raised $14 million in funding when it launched in 2025 and has focused heavily on true crime programming.
The release date for the 15 adapted episodes has not been announced yet. GammaTime continues to expand its library of vertical content, and this deal adds one of the most well-known true crime franchises to its offerings. The original Forensic Files episodes remain widely available on multiple streaming platforms in their traditional horizontal format, including the recently remastered HD versions.
For viewers who prefer the classic style, the original episodes continue to air on networks like HLN and Oxygen. The series has remained in syndication since its original run ended, with reruns reaching audiences in over 100 countries. The vertical adaptation is designed to complement these existing offerings, not replace them.
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