A queue of some 900 people snaked around the corner of Carrer d’Aribau and the Gran Via on Monday evening, a testament to the extraordinary appeal of a Catalan cultural phenomenon. They were not waiting for a blockbuster film, but for the premiere of the sixth season of Crims, the hit true crime programme that has captivated audiences with its meticulous and sober storytelling.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
At the event, held at Barcelona’s landmark Cinemes Aribau, veteran journalist and creator Carles Porta reflected on the show’s remarkable journey. Originally a radio programme on Catalunya Ràdio, Crims has evolved into one of the flagship products of Catalonia’s public broadcaster, drawing massive audiences to its television broadcasts on TV3 and its streaming platform, 3Cat.
A Season of Deception
The new season, which premiered on 16 March 2026, is titled “7 crims, 7 enganys” (7 Crimes, 7 Deceptions). It delves into cases where lies, conspiracies, and betrayal serve as the catalyst for irreversible tragedies. The season will comprise seven stories told over eight episodes, with one case, ‘La mort en taxi’ (The Death in a Taxi), spanning two parts.
“We all live deceived in one way or another; luckily, though, not everyone ends up killing,” Porta told the media at the presentation. He explained that the central theme explores how seemingly small deceptions can spiral into fatal consequences.
“Life is written on trust, which is why I trust people a lot,” the journalist added, before joking, “We even trust Rodalies!” A wry reference to Catalonia’s often-criticised commuter train network.
Rigour Over Sensationalism
Staggering figures underscore the success of Crims. The programme has attracted a cumulative audience of 3.5 million viewers on TV3 and boasts over 33 million reproductions on the 3Cat platform. Its original podcast format remains wildly popular, with 16 million plays on its native digital platform and a further 45 million on external services.
Porta insists this loyalty is not won through cheap thrills. “We have large audiences, and you don’t get them with sensationalism and blood,” he stated. “These audiences are the result of elegance and rigour, and of knowing how to reach people’s primary emotions. What people want are the emotions behind the sensationalism.”
The show’s high completion rate further demonstrates this engagement. “95% of the people who start watching an episode of Crims finish it, and this demonstrates the interest there is in the work we do,” Porta added.
A Two-Year Process for a One-Hour Show
The polished final product, produced in collaboration with Goroka Produccions and True Crime Factory, emerges from an exhaustive research and production process. Porta revealed that his team can spend over two years completing a single one-hour episode.
Porta cited a particularly challenging case from the new season, originating from a family’s request. This case involved gender-based violence, where a man murdered his wife. The family wished to explain the incident to the couple’s now-older daughter but needed an objective version of events. This proved difficult, given her father was the killer and her mother the victim.
“It has been quite a challenge, because we have the police version and that of the convicted person, and we had to create a very neutral version to avoid the family’s biased view,” Porta explained. He stressed the importance of journalistic integrity, noting the difficulty his writers face in remaining impartial after spending years working closely with grieving families.
Porta was also clear about the team’s role. “People think we have a power we don’t have… we are not going to reopen cases, but we can review them, study them.” The renewed media and judicial interest in the Helena Jubany murder, a case Crims prominently featured, highlights the show’s real-world impact on public consciousness. This impact occurs even though its focus remains separate from official police work, such as the special units set up by Barcelona police to tackle crime.
A Catalan Cultural Touchstone
Beyond the impressive viewing figures, Crims has cemented its place in the Catalan cultural landscape. Porta expressed immense pride in the show’s unexpected role as a language-learning tool.
“Finding people who tell me they learned Catalan with Crims is a great satisfaction,” he told VilaWeb. “That they learn Catalan with Crims is wonderful, because they also learn the Lleida dialect, which is even more beautiful!”
With Porta already hinting at stories in development for a seventh season, the future of Catalonia’s true crime king looks secure. The programme continues to prove that thoughtful, rigorous storytelling can outshine sensationalism, resonating deeply with an audience hungry for substance.
