MUMBAI: Even as Star News plans to launch a full-fledged crime news channel, it seems to be testing the waters with two new crime shows that will go on air soon.

Early December will see the launch of Insaaf Ka Tarazu and Sansani. Star News already airs a successful weekly crime-based show Red Alert, which is produced for the channel by BAG Films.

Additionally Star News, which has introduced some changes in the programming line up recently, is also launching Janbaaz in December. "A weekly show, Janbaaz talks about acts of bravery shown by ordinary people in real life situations. The unsung heroes will be honoured and we will also take up the bravery acts which go unreported," says Star News brand manager Keertan Adyanthaya.

According to Adyanthaya, "There is no scarcity of crime shows in the country. The TAM statistics suggest that crime-based programmes garner ratings in line with other popular genres like political news and lifestyle shows. Our Red Alert show, in fact, has been topping the rating charts."

Sansani will air from Monday to Friday, while Insaaf ka Tarazu , a weekly show, will be based on court cases. The novelty factor in the latter is that viewers too would be involved and, as per a proposal, may also get to be
the judge for cases.

Crime-based shows seem to be the flavour of news channels. While NDTV 24X7 has Dial 100 and Crime and the City, Aaj Tak has Jurm. Zee News has Crime File and Crime Reporter while Sahara Samay Rashtriya airs Charge Sheet.