How to Watch A&E's Scott Peterson: The New Evidence Online for Free

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It's been over two decades since California resident Scott Peterson was convicted of killing his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner. Peterson is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at Mule Creek State Prison after his original death sentence was overturned in 2020.

Now, a two-part documentary from A&E promises to uncover new evidence in the case that shocked the nation. Premiering tonight, July 16, at 9 pm ET, and continuing tomorrow, July 17, at 8 pm ET, each episode will run for two hours.

If you want to tune into the documentary but don't have access to A&E through a traditional cable provider, you can stream it for free by signing up for a trial of DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, or Philo. If you decide you want to continue watching A&E after the documentary, Sling is another option. While it doesn't offer a free trial, it remains one of the most affordable live TV alternatives.

At a Glance: How to Watch A&E's Scott Peterson: The New Evidence Online for Free

According to A&E TV, this documentary “delivers a meticulous analysis of recent developments, including never-before-heard witness testimony and first-hand insight from Peterson's former defense attorney, Mark Geragos, and others closest to the case, including key experts from the prosecution,” the website states.

The special is produced by Left/Right with executive producers Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman, Pete Ross, and Maija Norris. It is the latest major television project to revisit the Scott Peterson case since Peacock's 2024 docuseries Face to Face with Scott Peterson.

Although Peterson's conviction remains in place, debate surrounding the case has continued for years. A segment of the true crime community, social media users, and some legal experts argue for his innocence.

Where to Watch A&E's Scott Peterson: The New Evidence Online for Free, Livestream

If you're looking to watch Scott Peterson: The New Evidenceone of the easiest ways is by signing up for a free trial of DirecTV, which provides instant access to livestream A&E and watch the documentary as it airs.

DirecTV is the fastest and simplest way to stream the documentary on A&E. It comes with a five-day free trial that takes just minutes to sign up for and has an easy cancellation policy if you choose not to keep the service after you finish watching. You'll need to sign up for either the Choice, Ultimate, or Premier plan. After the free trial ends, plans start at $64.99 per month for the aforementioned tiers.

Although Sling doesn't offer a free trial, it's a great option for anyone looking for a more permanent replacement for traditional cable, with plans starting at $45.99 per month. A&E is included in Sling Orange, Blue, and Orange + Blue.

If you're only interested in watching the documentary, Sling also offers inexpensive short-term options to tune in.

Hulu + Live TV is another strong contender thanks to its free trialwhich gives you just enough time to watch the documentary. Signing up only takes a few minutes, and if you decide to keep the service after the trial, plans start at $89.99 per month. While it's one of the more expensive options, your subscription also includes access to Disney+ and ESPN+.

Philo offers one of the longer free trialslasting seven days, and includes A&E in its Essential plan, which costs $25 per month after the trial ends. With this plan, you also get access to channels like Hallmark, Discovery, and Food Network.

A&E's Scott Peterson: The New Evidence Premiere Date, Time

The first part of Scott Peterson: The New Evidence premieres on A&E on Thursday, July 16, at 9 pm ET. The second and final installment airs on Friday, July 17, at 8 pm ET. You can watch both segments live for free by signing up for a DirecTV free trial.

What Is the Scott Peterson Case?

On Dec. 24, 2002, 27-year-old Laci Peterson went missing from her home in Modesto, California. Her body was later found on April 14, 2003, near the San Francisco Bay. On April 18, 2003, her husband, Scott Peterson, was arrested for her murder and was later tried and found guilty.

At the time of her death, Laci Peterson was eight months pregnant with the couple's son, Conner.

The case gained nationwide attention, appearing on every major news broadcast and making headlines across the country. Scott Peterson still maintains his innocence, but as of April 2026, he has been denied a new trial.