The trial of Bryan Kohberger has felt like a slow-motion car crash that the whole world is watching, yet somehow, the view keeps getting obstructed. If you’ve been following the Idaho student murder case, you’ve likely spent months wondering if we’re actually going to see the evidence presented in real-time or if we’ll be stuck reading grainy live-tweets from reporters inside a closed-off room. It’s a mess. Honestly, the back-and-forth between the defense, the prosecution, and Judge John Judge has been enough to give anyone whiplash.
So, let's get into the weeds of it. Will the Bryan Kohberger trial be televised? The short answer is yes, but it’s not going to look like the O.J. Simpson circus or even the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial.
The Judge’s Big Decision on Cameras
For a long time, it looked like cameras might be banned entirely. Kohberger’s defense team, led by Anne Taylor, fought tooth and nail to keep the "big eye" out of the courtroom. They argued that the media was basically obsessed with Kohberger’s every blink and twitch, claiming that sensationalist coverage would poison the jury pool and dehumanize the guy before he even had a chance to speak. They weren't totally wrong about the obsession—TikTok "sleuths" have been tearing this case apart since day one.
In late 2023, Judge John Judge issued a ruling that felt like a middle ground. He didn't want the media's "production" in his house. He was annoyed by camera operators zooming in on Kohberger’s face like it was a movie close-up. So, he took control.
Instead of letting Court TV or the Associated Press bring in their own rigs, the court decided to use its own equipment to livestream the proceedings. This is a huge distinction. It means the court controls the angles, the zoom, and—most importantly—what the public actually gets to see.
What the Livestream Will Actually Look Like
Don’t expect 4K cinematic shots. The setup is meant to be functional, not entertaining. Judge Steven Hippler, who eventually took over the case after the venue change to Boise, reiterated that the trial would be livestreamed on the court’s YouTube channel.
Here is the deal with the visual setup:
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- The camera is fixed on a few specific spots: the witness stand, the counsel tables, the bench, and the podium.
- There is no zooming. If Kohberger starts crying or the prosecutor makes a dramatic face, the camera isn't going to rush in for the "money shot."
- There will be a "lag" or a way to cut the feed if something sensitive comes up.
The goal here is transparency without the "theatrics." It's basically the "anti-paparazzi" version of a murder trial. You'll hear the audio, you'll see the evidence on the screens, but it won’t feel like a Netflix documentary while it’s happening.
The "Blackout" Moments
There is one big catch you need to know about. The trial won't be 100% visible 100% of the time. The prosecution made a specific request, which the judge granted, to shut down the livestream during the testimony of certain witnesses.
Specifically, when the surviving roommates from the King Road house take the stand, the cameras go dark. This is to protect their privacy and prevent further trauma. Given the absolute hell those individuals have been through, it’s a move most people find reasonable, even if the true-crime community is frustrated by the lack of access.
Why This Case Is Moving So Slowly
If you’re wondering why we’re even talking about the 2026 outlook, it’s because this case has been plagued by delays. Initially, everyone thought we’d have a verdict by 2024. Then it was summer 2025. Now, the schedule has been pushed further out as the defense sifts through mountains of digital evidence—we’re talking over 50 terabytes of data.
To put that in perspective, that’s thousands of hours of video and millions of pages of documents. Anne Taylor has repeatedly told the court that she can’t provide an adequate defense if she hasn't even had time to open all the files.
The Venue Change Impact
One of the biggest shifts in the "will it be televised" saga was the move from Latah County to Ada County. The trial was moved to Boise because the judge agreed that the local community in Moscow was too deeply affected by the tragedy to provide an impartial jury.
When the venue changed, the rules for broadcasting were essentially re-confirmed. Boise has the infrastructure to handle a high-profile livestream much better than the smaller courthouse in Moscow did. The move actually made the livestream more certain, as the Ada County courts are well-versed in handling high-volume public interest cases.
What to Expect Moving Forward
The Bryan Kohberger trial is arguably the most significant criminal case in Idaho's history. Because the death penalty is on the table, every single motion is being scrutinized under a microscope.
The livestream will likely be hosted on the Idaho Fourth Judicial District YouTube channel. When the trial finally kicks off—currently looking at late 2025 into 2026 for the main event—thousands of people will be tuned in.
But keep your expectations in check. You’re going to see a lot of "dead air" during sidebars. You’re going to see a lot of technical arguments about DNA transfer and cell tower pings that might honestly be a little boring if you aren't a legal nerd. It won’t be the sensationalist broadcast the defense feared, but it will be the most transparent look we've ever had into the case.
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Practical Next Steps for Following the Case:
- Monitor the Official Court Website: Don’t rely on social media rumors. The Ada County "Cases of Interest" page is where the actual orders regarding the livestream and trial dates are posted first.
- Subscribe to the Idaho Court YouTube Channels: Search for the "Judge Steven Hippler" or "Fourth Judicial District" channels now so you get notified when a hearing goes live.
- Prepare for a Marathon: This trial is expected to last at least three months. It’s not a week-long event; it’s a grueling legal process that will take up most of the calendar year once it begins.
- Ignore "Leaked" Footage: If you see "leaked" video of the roommates testifying, be wary. It’s likely fake or a violation of court orders. Stick to the official streams to ensure you're getting the facts.