Paranormal Witness

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Also known asParanormal Witness: True Terror (2015–2016)'
Genre
ComposersJoel Beckerman
Ty Unwin
Country of originUnited States
Paranormal Witness
Series title card
Also known asParanormal Witness: True Terror (2015–2016)'
Genre
ComposersJoel Beckerman
Ty Unwin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes64
Production
Executive producersBart Layton
Dimitri Doganis
ProducersMark Lewis
Simon Mills
CinematographyJoel Devlin
Gary Clarke
Will Pugh
EditorsJulian Hart
Bjorn Johnson
Iain Kitching
Running time60 minutes (inc. adverts)
Production companiesRealand Productions, LLC
Raw TV
Original release
NetworkSyfy (United States)
Really / Watch / Pick (United Kingdom)
ReleaseSeptember 7, 2011 (2011-09-07) 
November 27, 2013 (2013-11-27)
ReleaseAugust 26, 2015 (2015-08-26) 
October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26)

Paranormal Witness is an American paranormal docuseries made by a British production company, which described itself as "true tales of supernatural hauntings and explanation-defying paranormal experiences, which are brought to life through recreations".[1] The series premiered on September 7, 2011, on Syfy in the United States. It is also shown in the UK on Really, W, and Pick.

Ranked as one of the top 10 new original series, it was renewed for a 12-episode second season, which premiered on August 8, 2012.[2] Based on the high ratings of the first three episodes of the second season, Paranormal Witness was renewed for a 20-episode third season, which premiered on June 5, 2013.[3]

Although Syfy did not announce the series' renewal following its third-season finale, it was reported that a fourth season had begun filming.[4][5] On October 29, 2014, the series was officially renewed for a 13-episode fourth season,[6] which premiered on August 26, 2015, under the new title Paranormal Witness: True Terror.

On November 18, 2015, Syfy renewed the series for a 13-episode fifth season, which premiered on August 3, 2016.[7]

While Deseret News writer Mark Rappleye characterized the show as not "full of mind-numbing creepiness," he said that the show "will likely appeal more to believers and less to the even mildly skeptical." According to Rappleye, "Paranormal Witness” tells the story, insinuating that everyone should believe it as having occurred the way it is presented. This leaves little, if any, room for intellectual challenge or edification."[8] New York Times reviewer Neil Genzlinger criticized the show, saying, "It doesn't bother hunting for hard evidence; it simply uses first-person testimony and re-enactment to sell the idea that someone has had a psychic encounter."[9] Reviewing the show's "Long Island Terror" episode, science writer Sharon A. Hill said, "Paranormal Witness is not what I would consider fair documentation. It is not wise to take TV shows at face value. People put forth their story as they perceive it, but it may not be how others perceive it or how it occurred. Saying there is a demon and Satanic activity associated with the house is a steep claim. Evidence is suggested, but without verification, we can't go anywhere with this story."[10]

Series overview

Season Episodes Premiere date Finale date Ave. U.S. viewers
(millions)
Paranormal Witness series
1 67 September 201112 October 20111.36
2 128 August 201224 October 20121.24
3 205 June 201327 November 20131.09
Paranormal Witness: True Terror series
4 1328 June 201520 September 20150.61
5 13 3 August 201623 October 20160.55

Episodes

References

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