Getty Producers discuss 'The First 48.'
The First 48 has returned. The long-running crime series is airing a 15th anniversary special January 1 on A&E, which will include interviews with past detectives and recaps of some of the show’s most notable cases. The special airs at 8 p.m. ET.
If you don’t have cable, you can watch a live stream of A&E on your computer, phone, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV or other streaming device via one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming subscription services:
Heavy may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up via a link on this page
Philo TV
A&E is included in Philo’s main 58-channel bundle, which is the cheapest among all streaming services if you plan on keeping it long-term.
Once signed up for Philo, and you can then watch the show live on your computer via the Philo website, or on your phone (iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV or or other supported device via the Philo app.
If you can’t watch live, Philo also allows you to DVR programs and watch them up to 30 days later. And even if you forget to DVR something, Philo also comes with a 72-hour rewind feature, which allows you to replay events that have aired in the last three days.
FuboTV
A&E is one of 95-plus live TV channels included in the main FuboTV bundle.
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can then watch a live stream of the A&E on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast or other supported device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 30 hours of Cloud DVR (with the ability to upgrade to 500 hours), as well as a “72-Hour Lookback” feature, which allows you to watch most shows up to three days after they air (and sometimes longer) even if you don’t record them.
Hulu With Live TV
A&E is included in Hulu With Live TV, which comes with 60-plus live TV channels and Hulu’s extensive on-demand library of TV shows and movies.
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch a live stream of the show on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Echo Show or other streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch live, “Hulu with Live TV” comes with both its extensive on-demand library (which has most new episodes and specials available after they air) and 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
‘The First 48’ 15th Anniversary Special Preview
The First 48 has spawned several different spin-offs for A&E, including The First 48 Presents: Homicide Squad Atlanta in 2019 and Maria Clark Investigates the First 48 in 2018. Tonight’s two-hour special will serve as a precursor to season 19, which premieres at 8 p.m. ET on January 2. New episodes will be released every Thursday at the same time.
Realscreen reports that The First 48 special will focus on the murder of two women in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The investigation played out over several years, and executive producer Maija Norris promises that it will be a case unlike any other featured on the show.
“The investigation itself that’s featured in the two hour special, it’s just a different investigation than anything we’ve ever documented,” she teased. “We got to watch first hand the determination of the lead detective and the rest of the Tulsa homicide unit working the case. Family participated as well.”
Norris also said that the special will pay tribute to detectives who have been on seasons prior, and who worked similarly difficult cases. “There are certainly detectives that have been in The First 48 that you’d definitely recognize and know,” she explained. “As a series, we need to express a huge debt of gratitude to the detectives who allow us to follow them, and document their day to day work. And especially to the family members of murder victims who have been willing to tell the story of their loved ones.”
READ NEXT: Duran Duran 2019: Who Are the Band Members Today?