Investigation Discovery’s docuseries A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read proved to be a major ratings success, attracting 6.3 million viewers across TV and streaming platforms since its premiere on March 17th. The series focused on the controversial case of Karen Read, accused of murdering her police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe.
Here’s the Lowdown: The five-part series, which aired over three nights (March 17-19), significantly boosted ID’s viewership. It made the network the #2 non-sports/news cable channel among women 25-54 in its time slot, increasing ratings by 58%. Directed by Terry Dunn-Meurer, the series featured exclusive access to Karen Read and her defense team leading up to and during her 2024 trial.
What This Means Now: The high viewership reflects strong public interest in the Read case, which ended in a mistrial in 2024. With a retrial scheduled for April 1, 2025, the docuseries provided timely and detailed insight into Read’s perspective and the complexities of the case, introducing it to a wider audience just as legal proceedings are set to resume.
The Bigger Picture: The success of A Body in the Snow highlights the appeal of true crime documentaries that gain special access to central figures in ongoing, high-profile cases. It demonstrates ID’s ability to capitalize on topical legal dramas and deliver content that resonates with viewers. All episodes are currently available on Max and discovery+, allowing audiences to catch up before the impending retrial next month.
