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Reelz
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide
HeadquartersAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format720p (HDTV)
(HD feed downgraded to letterboxed 480i for SDTVs)
Ownership
OwnerHubbard Broadcasting
Sister channelsOvation
History
LaunchedSeptember 27, 2006 (2006-09-27); 15 years ago
Former namesReelzChannel (2006–12)
Links
Websitewww.reelz.com
Availability
Streaming media
Service(s)DirecTV Stream, Philo, Sling TV

Reelz (formerly known as Reelz Channel) is an American digital cable and satellite television network owned by Hubbard Broadcasting. The network's programming was formerly devoted to entertainment-oriented programming focusing on the Hollywood film and entertainment industry, with programs featuring information on theatrical film releases as well as information on movies released on DVD and airing on cable television. Currently, outside a few entertainment programs, and some reality series and films, the network mainly airs original and acquired films, series, and programming relating to true crime and celebrity scandals.

As of February 2015, Reelz is available to approximately 68.2 million pay television households (58.6% of households with at least one television set) in the United States.[1]

History

Previous Reelz logo as ReelzChannel (2006–2012)

The network launched on September 27, 2006 as ReelzChannel,[2] initially available on satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network. The network originally maintained a programming focus similar to the original format of E! (and its predecessor MovieTime), focusing on programs about the entertainment industry including movie review and junket interview series. The network eventually signed carriage agreements with various cable providers including Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Charter Communications and Altice.[citation needed] The network's programming then was tailored to allow insertion of order details and channel positions for film titles being offered through each provider's pay-per-view and video on demand systems.[citation needed]

In early 2009, ReelzChannel moved its operations from Los Angeles, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Hubbard owns that city's NBC-affiliated television station KOB. KOB and ReelzChannel, however, maintain separate facilities.[3] At that point, the network shifted its programming focus to incorporate acquired series alongside its entertainment news programs. In August 2011, ReelzChannel debuted its first miniseries, The Kennedys. An unauthorized biopic centering on President John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy and the Camelot empire, ReelzChannel acquired the rights to the film after it was dropped by History.[4]

In February 2023, Reelz reached an agreement with NBCUniversal-owned streaming service Peacock, which would carry a linear feed of Reelz and the network's library of programming for subscribers. MLW Underground Wrestling from Major League Wrestling is blacked out and replaced with alternate programming on Peacock due to WWE's exclusivity agreements with the service.[5]

Programming

Reelz original programming is produced both in the US and internationally. For example, the network premiered a docudrama in 2017, Titanic: Sinking The Myths, starring Ed Asner, examining the circumstances surrounding the ocean liner disaster.[citation needed] In 2020, Reelz ordered The Story of the Songs from ViacomCBS Networks UK, in association with the British branch of Paramount Network.[6]

In June 2022, Reelz acquired Cops and later greenlit On Patrol: Live, a spiritual successor to the former A&E program Live PD.[7][8]

The network's original promotional remit regarding cable and satellite pay-per-view and video on demand services, which remains in its carriage contracts, is contractually fulfilled by an occasional on-air segment hosted by a Celebrity Page personality, REELZ Recommends, an email newsletter service, which highlights programs available via streaming video and video on demand.[citation needed]

Current programming

A list of shows currently airing.[9][10]

Original programming

Acquired programming

Upcoming programming

Netflix

Former programming

Miniseries

Awards ceremonies

Other services

Reelz HD

Reelz HD is a high definition simulcast of Reelz broadcasting in the 720p resolution format, which launched on August 1, 2010. The first provider to carry the feed was AT&T U-verse, which began carrying ReelzChannel HD on September 27, 2010; Dish Network carried the HD feed as a free preview from March 30 to May 4, 2011.[26] DirecTV began carrying the HD feed on September 26, 2014.[27] DirecTV also carries ReelzChannel's video on demand content in HD. Verizon Fios began carrying the HD feed on March 25, 2017.

ReelzChannel In Your Room

Reelz formerly operated a service for hotels in partnership with LodgeNet, called ReelzChannel In Your Room. This featured a mix of Reelz's original programming with reviews and promotions of films available on a hotel's video on demand service.

References

  1. ^ Seidman, Robert (February 22, 2015). "List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  2. ^ Reelz Channel launches today TV Squad.com September 27, 2006 Joel Keller
  3. ^ LURED BY GOVERNOR RICHARDSON AND THE NEW MEXICO FILM OFFICE REELZ CHANNEL MAKES BOLD MOVE TO RELOCATE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO ALBUQUERQUE IN EARLY 2009 Reelz Channel Press Release January 7, 2009.
  4. ^ a b ReelzChannel To Air ‘Kennedys' Miniseries Multichannel News February 1, 2011
  5. ^ Schneider, Michael (February 28, 2023). "Peacock to Add 'On Patrol: Live' Network Reelz to Its Subscriber Offerings". Variety. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  6. ^ "Reelz set to tell "The Story of the Songs" with Viacom International Studios UK". Realscreen. March 13, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  7. ^ Iannuci, Rebecca (June 8, 2022). "Live PD to Be Revived at Reelz, Two Years After A&E Cancellation". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Maglio, Tony (June 8, 2022). "'Live PD' Revived — and Rebranded — by Reelz 2 Years After A&E Cancellation". IndieWire. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "Shows - REELZChannel". Reelz.com. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  10. ^ "ReelzChannel". Zap2it. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  11. ^ White, Peter (July 17, 2018). "Reelz To Air DRG-Funded Charles Manson Documentary Series 'Manson's Bloodline'".
  12. ^ Rice, Lynette (January 20, 2023). "Reelz Becomes Official U.S. Home For Major League Wrestling". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  13. ^ "Whitney: Secrets of Her Biggest Hits: Whitney Houston - S1". Radio Times.
  14. ^ "The Story of the Songs Series and Episode Guides | TV from RadioTimes". Radio Times.
  15. ^ "Madonna: Secrets of Her Biggest Hits: Madonna - S1". Radio Times.
  16. ^ "Crime Drama Series "Cracked" Makes Its U.S. Premiere Friday, August 30, 2013 at 10PM ET/7PM PT". The Futon Critic. August 6, 2013.
  17. ^ Barnett, David C. (January 27, 2015). "The Unlikely Comeback of Polka". Ideastream. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  18. ^ D'Astolfo, Guy (April 9, 2015). "Chardon Polka Band reality TV show premieres Saturday". The Vindicator. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  19. ^ Richmond, Ray (July 28, 2013). "TCA: ReelzChannel Unveils 'JFK: The Smoking Gun,' 'The Capones,' 'Hollywood Hillbillies'". Deadline Hollywood.
  20. ^ ReelzChannel Picks Up 'Pillars Of The Earth' Deadline.com August 30, 2011
  21. ^ 'World Without End' Miniseries Heads to ReelzChannel HollywoodReporter.com May 22, 2012
  22. ^ "Reelz Announces New Programming for January 2020". The Futon Critic. December 20, 2019.
  23. ^ O'Neil, Tom (June 6, 2010). "'Modern Family' leads nominations for new Critics' Choice TV Awards". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  24. ^ Ausiello, Michael (June 6, 2010). "Mad Men, Fringe, Good Wife, Modern Family, Community, Justified Lead Critics Choice Kudos". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  25. ^ Natalie Tadena (July 2, 2015).Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant Lands on Reelz Cable Channel. Wall Street Journal.
  26. ^ "REELZCHANNEL to Offer "The Kennedys" in High Definition Nationwide Only on DISH Network". PRWeb.
  27. ^ "Reelz (238) and Ovation (274) HD coming (now launched) | Page 2". SatelliteGuys.US. September 13, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2016.

External links

Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc.
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