Reelz (formerly known as Reelz Channel) is an American digital cable and satellitetelevision 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 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 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 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 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 Wrestlingisblacked out and replaced with alternate programming on Peacock due to WWE'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, 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]
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]
The Story of the Songs (also known in the United Kingdom under the titles Whitney/Madonna/Celine Dion: The Secrets of Her Biggest Hits and Rod Stewart: The Secrets of His Biggest Hits)[13][14][15]
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.
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.
