or


[05/29/07 - 09:43 PM]
NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution's 'Reel Talk' Sold in More Than 85% of U.S. for Fall Debut
"Reel Talk" debuted on WNBC-TV New York in October 2005 as a local weekend movies series.

[via press release from NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution]

NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION'S 'REEL TALK' SOLD IN MORE THAN 85% OF U.S. FOR FALL DEBUT

Weekly Half-Hour Movie Review Series Sold To Stations From NBC, CBS, Gannett, Sinclair, Belo, Hearst-Argyle and More

Hosted by Film Critics Jeffrey Lyons and Alison Bailes

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - May 29, 2007 - NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold weekly half-hour movie review series "Reel Talk" in more than 85% of the U.S. for its debut in national syndication this fall, it was announced today by Sean O'Boyle, Senior Vice President and General Sales Manager, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

The series has been sold to all 10 NBC Universal Owned and Operated stations, including WNBC-TV New York, KNBC-TV Los Angeles and WMAQ-TV Chicago, as well as stations from a number of leading broadcast groups including CBS, Gannett, Belo, Hearst-Argyle, Hubbard, Sinclair and more. Other top markets launching "Reel Talk" include WBZ-TV Boston, WFTS-TV Tampa and WRTV-TV Indianapolis.

"Reel Talk" is hosted by renowned film critics Jeffrey Lyons (longtime WNBC-TV film critic) and Alison Bailes (The Independent Film Channel's "At The Angelika" and "At The IFC Center"). Every week, "Reel Talk" takes viewers behind the velvet rope and provides an insider's perspective on the weekend's best entertainment choices, offering reviews on the latest films and DVDs, behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with the stars from the biggest blockbusters, and updates on the national box office. The show originates and is produced by WNBC-TV New York.

"'Reel Talk' is the perfect weekend addition for local broadcasters heading into the new season," says O'Boyle. "And Jeffrey Lyons and Alison Bailes are two of the most well-respected film critics who will offer viewers an in-depth look at each week's top new films and DVD releases."

Frank Comerford, President and General Manager, WNBC-TV New York said, "We take great pride in the fact that 'Reel Talk,' a show created at our station and led by two dynamic hosts, Jeffrey and Alison, can take its local popularity and success to a national audience. And the fact that it originates from New York, allows for easier access to the top film stars and coverage of the big premieres."

"Reel Talk" debuted on WNBC-TV New York in October 2005 as a local weekend movies series. Each week, the two film critics share their different perspectives on the latest film and DVD releases, give viewers the latest on what's hot and what's not at the box office and report on industry trends. "Reel Talk" also features casting hits and misses, as well as celebrity interviews from stars like Dame Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Kirk Douglas, Donald Sutherland, Antonio Banderas, Pierce Brosnan, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, George Clooney, Forrest Whitaker, among many others.

"Alison and I are extremely proud of 'Reel Talk' and the tremendous success it has garnered since its debut less than two years ago," said Lyons. "We look forward to bringing our different film critiques to movie-goers nationwide."

"I too look forward to spending the weekend with movie-buffs across the country, and of course disagreeing with Jeffrey," said Bailes. "We have a tremendous team at 'Reel Talk' and we couldn't be happier about our new venture and the opportunity to bring the show to a wider audience."

Lyons, who has served as the film and theater critic at WNBC-TV New York since October 1996, has interviewed nearly every major film and Broadway star over the past four decades. Prior to joining WNBC-TV, Lyons was the co-host of PBS series "Sneak Previews" (1984-1996) and has served as the film critic/entertainment reporter for various other outlets including ABC, CBS Radio and WPIX-TV New York. He is the son of famed Broadway columnist Leonard Lyons and the father of the E! Channel's film critic, Ben Lyons.

In addition, Lyons is the author of Jeffrey Lyons' 101 Great Movies for Kids, published by Simon & Schuster, 1996, and he has acting parts in several motion pictures, including "The French Connection" and "Death Trap." Lyons also co-authored three baseball trivia books and lectured on baseball at the Smithsonian Institute and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and has been a guest announcer for the Boston Red Sox radio broadcasts in English and Spanish.

A native of the U.K., Bailes has held several different roles in entertainment since moving to New York in 1989. Most recently, she created, produced and hosted IFC's "At the Angelika," a monthly look at the independent film scene, as well as "At The IFC Center." She has also served in various roles at CNN, VH1 and continues to report from the annual major film festivals for various outlets.

Michael Avila is Executive Producer of "Reel Talk." The series is distributed in national syndication by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution

NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, including formats and non-scripted programming, in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.

Current and upcoming first-run strip syndicated programming at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes Access Hollywood, Blind Date, The Jerry Springer Show, The Martha Stewart Show, Maury and The Steve Wilkos Show. Current first-run weekly syndicated programming includes The Chris Matthews Show, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Your Total Health, Reel Talk and the off-network distribution of The Office, House, Monk, the Law & Order series and much more.





  [may 2007]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· LYONS & BAILES REEL TALK (SYNDICATION)





[05/29/26 - 10:38 AM]
Video: We TV and All Reality Unveil Sneak Peek of All New Original Unscripted Series "Age Inappropriate"
The eight episode series is set to premiere this August, exclusively on We TV and All Reality.

[05/29/26 - 10:01 AM]
Hallmark Channel's Annual "Christmas in July" Programming Event Returns June 26 with Four Original Movie Premieres
Plus: Hallmark+ subscribers will be treated to a second season of sailing the high seas with their favorite Hallmark stars in "Christmas at Sea," available to stream on Wednesday, July 1.

[05/29/26 - 08:01 AM]
Paramount+ Sets U.S. and International Premiere for "Wild Cherry"
The acclaimed six-part BBC thriller from the U.K., will stream exclusively on Paramount+ on June 24 in the U.S., Canada, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and Latin America.

[05/29/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "A Different World" - Official Teaser - Netflix
The new class just enrolled. "A Different World" premieres on Netflix September 24.

[05/29/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Trailer for Season Three of Original Drama Series "House of the Dragon"
Based on George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood," the series, set 200 years before the events of "Game of Thrones," tells the story of House Targaryen.

[05/29/26 - 06:06 AM]
Tubi's New Exclusive Series "Deestroying the Pitch" Premieres on June 4th
The series follows YouTube star Deestroying (Donald De La Haye) as he hits the streets of Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto to uncover the soul of soccer through a 1v1 competition as the World Cup lands in North America.

[05/29/26 - 06:00 AM]
Disney+ Greenlights New Docuseries from Maximum Effort Following SailGP's BONDS Flying Roos Australian Team and Co-Owners Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds
Blending humor, pressure and behind-the-scenes access, the series captures life inside one of the world's most demanding sports leagues as the team operates as a tight-knit family built on trust and camaraderie.

[05/29/26 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Physical 100: Italy" - Official Trailer - Netflix
One hundred Italian athletes face brutal physical challenges, each battling to outlast the rest and claim the glory of becoming the one true champion.

[05/28/26 - 11:31 PM]
Video: "The Pyramid Scheme" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
The series follows the story of Goldy, an ambitious but impatient young man, whose quest to get rich through a pyramid marketing business spirals into a rollercoaster of chaos - risking not just his future, but also the love and trust of his close-knit joint family.

[05/28/26 - 05:01 PM]
Gripping Suspense Drama Series "Notes from the Last Row" Premieres June 26
A failed writer-turned-professor finds rare talent in a student's writing - and grows obsessed with his draft as their private lessons go off course.

[05/28/26 - 03:32 PM]
Acorn TV Renews Breakout Murder Mystery Series "You're Killing Me," Starring and Executive Produced by Brooke Shields
Season two, which will again be set in the quaint Maine town of Founder's Cove, will also consist of six, hour-long episodes and go into production later this year.

[05/28/26 - 03:23 PM]
2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Presented by Dunkin' Finishes Strong with Average Audience of 7.4 Million Viewers Across ESPN and ABC
Additionally, Game 4 on ESPN averaged 7.2 million viewers, marking the most-viewed Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 across any network since 2018.

[05/28/26 - 02:00 PM]
Peacock Reveals Steamy Hot Cast of "Love Island USA" as Season Eight Premieres on Tuesday, June 2
Hosted by Ariana Madix and narrated by comedian Iain Stirling, "Love Island USA" season eight streams exclusively on Peacock with new episodes dropping daily at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET for premiere week, followed by new episodes everyday - except Wednesdays thereafter.

[05/28/26 - 01:03 PM]
Video: Tubi's New Original Thriller Film "Stepfather" Reveals Official Trailer and First Look Images
After years of eradicating any family that falls short of perfection, Darnell (Taye Diggs) believes his new wife Asia (Tamar Braxton) and her daughters might finally be the real deal.

[05/28/26 - 12:30 PM]
CNN to Air Expansive "The Fourth in America: Celebrating 250" Programming Including "Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy"
Throughout the night, Anderson and Andy will be joined by an array of special guests - including celebrated American icons, cultural legends, and inspiring everyday heroes whose stories reflect the spirit, resilience, and diversity of the United States.