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 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Albuquerque,New Mexico |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 720p (HDTV) (HD feed downgraded toletterboxed480i forSDTVs) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Hubbard Broadcasting |
| Sister channels | Ovation |
| History | |
| Launched | September 27, 2006 (2006-09-27); 18 years ago |
| Former names | ReelzChannel (2006–12) |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Service(s) | DirecTV Stream,Frndly TV,Peacock,Philo,Sling TV |
Reelz (formerly known asReelz Channel) is an Americandigital cable andsatellitetelevision network owned byHubbard 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 totrue crime and celebrity scandals.
As of November 2023[update], Reelz is available to approximately 35,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its 2015 peak of 68,000,000 households.[1]
The network launched on September 27, 2006 asReelzChannel,[2] initially available on satellite providersDirecTV andDish Network. The network originally maintained a programming focus similar to the original format ofE! (and its predecessor MovieTime), focusing on programs about the entertainment industry including movie review andjunket interview series. The network eventually signed carriage agreements with various cable providers includingTime Warner Cable,Comcast,Charter Communications andAltice.[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'spay-per-view andvideo on demand systems.[citation needed]
In early 2009, ReelzChannel moved its operations fromLos Angeles,California, toAlbuquerque,New Mexico, where Hubbard owns that city'sNBC-affiliatedtelevision stationKOB. 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 unauthorizedbiopic centering on PresidentJohn F. Kennedy,Jackie Kennedy and theCamelot empire, ReelzChannel acquired the rights to the film after it was dropped byHistory.[4]
In February 2023, Reelz reached an agreement withNBCUniversal-owned streaming servicePeacock, which would carry a linear feed of Reelz and the network's library of programming for subscribers.MLW Underground Wrestling fromMajor League Wrestling isblacked out and replaced with alternate programming on Peacock due toWWE's exclusivity agreements with the service.[5]
Reelz original programming is produced both in the US and internationally. For example, the network premiered a docudrama in 2017,Titanic: Sinking The Myths, starringEd Asner, examining the circumstances surrounding the ocean liner disaster.[citation needed] In 2020, Reelz orderedThe Story of the Songs fromViacomCBS Networks UK, in association with the British branch ofParamount Network.[6]
In June 2022, Reelz acquiredCops and later greenlitOn Patrol: Live, a spiritual successor to the formerA&E programLive PD.[7][8]
The network's original promotional remit regarding cable and satellitepay-per-view andvideo on demand services, which remains in its carriage contracts, is contractually fulfilled by an occasional on-air segment hosted by aCelebrity Page personality,REELZ Recommends, an emailnewsletter service, which highlights programs available viastreaming video andvideo on demand.[citation needed]
A list of shows currently airing.[9][10]
Reelz HD is ahigh definition simulcast of Reelz broadcasting in the720p resolution format, which launched on August 1, 2010. The first provider to carry the feed wasAT&T U-verse, which began carrying ReelzChannel HD on September 27, 2010; Dish Network carried the HD feed as afree preview from March 30 to May 4, 2011.[26]DirecTV began carrying the HD feed on September 26, 2014.[27] DirecTV also carries ReelzChannel'svideo on demand content in HD.Verizon Fios began carrying the HD feed on March 25, 2017.
Reelz formerly operated a service for hotels in partnership withLodgeNet, calledReelzChannel 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.