Chris Hansen Buys Ad Space Before ‘Primetime’ Screenings For His True-Crime Network

Chris Hansen, the former host of "To Catch a Predator," has purchased ad space before screenings of A24's film "Primetime," which is based on his rise to fame. The ads promote his true-crime streaming network, TruBlu, and feature Hansen quoting one of his famous lines from the show: "I'm going to need everyone in the theater to take a seat right over there." According to Deadline and TheWrap, the ads will run exclusively in front of "Primetime" for at least the first four weeks of its theatrical run.

The film "Primetime" stars Robert Pattinson as Hansen and is directed by Lance Oppenheim. It tells the story of how "To Catch a Predator" became an NBC ratings hit and a pop culture sensation. Hansen was not involved with the making of the film, but IGN reports that he turned down a preliminary screening of the film and accused A24 of asking him to sign a "very restrictive agreement."

Hansen's streaming network, TruBlu, offers true crime series and documentaries, including "Takedown With Chris Hansen," a spiritual successor to "To Catch a Predator." TheWrap and IGN both report that the ads feature a QR code that pops up on the screen, inviting viewers to join TruBlu.

Brief written by urgent.news from Deadline, TheWrap, IGN, The A.V. Club — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.