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)





[03/09/26 - 09:37 AM]
Peacock Lands Exclusive Next-Day Streaming Rights in the US for "Saturday Night Live UK"
Premiering Saturday, March 21 on SKY One and NOW in the UK, the series will stream next day on Peacock in the US, with new episodes available weekly beginning March 22.

[03/09/26 - 09:00 AM]
"Philly Homicide" Returns to Oxygen for Season Two
The 10-episode season of its gripping original series premiering Saturday, April 11 at 8:00/7:00c.

[03/09/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "XO, Kitty" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Netflix
This season, Lana Condor will reprise her role as Lara Jean, making it her first time appearing in the series and officially returning to the franchise.

[03/09/26 - 08:09 AM]
AMC Networks Orders Second Season of "The Audacity" from Jonathan Glatzer Days Before World Premiere at South by Southwest
The first season of eight episodes comes to AMC and AMC+ on Sunday, April 12.

[03/09/26 - 07:01 AM]
"The Predator of Seville" Premieres on Netflix on March 27
The new docuseries reconstructs the case of a tour guide accused of assaulting several foreign students in Spain.

[03/09/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV Unveils Trailer for "Margo's Got Money Troubles"
The eight-episode series will premiere globally on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 with three episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through May 20, 2026.

[03/09/26 - 07:00 AM]
ESPN and the Southern Conference Announce Multi-Year Media Rights Extension
The extended agreement represents an expanded commitment by ESPN, anchored by a robust slate of regular-season and championship broadcasts across ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, along with comprehensive digital distribution through ESPN's direct-to-consumer services.

[03/09/26 - 06:01 AM]
Francis Ngannou Makes Highly Anticipated Return to MMA vs. Philipe Lins on MVP's Rousey vs. Carano, Ngannou vs. Lins on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California, Live Globally Only on Netflix
The bout marks Ngannou's highly anticipated return to professional MMA competition following his crossover into global boxing events and his dominant PFL Championship victory in 2024.

[03/09/26 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Inside" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Content creators take on a series of jaw-dropping challenges for the potential to win a huge prize fund in this reality series from viral YouTubers, the Sidemen.

[03/09/26 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind: Sweden" - Season 3 - Official Trailer - Netflix
New season. New singles. New drama. As they date and get engaged sight unseen, which of these Swedish couples will discover that love is truly blind?

[03/06/26 - 12:24 PM]
FOX Entertainment Studios Signs First-Look Deal with Writer, Actor, and Creator River Gallo
Gallo is the star, writer and creator of "Ponyboi," the inaugural feature film produced under FOX Entertainment Studios' new independent film label, Tideline.

[03/06/26 - 10:51 AM]
Shudder Announces Four All-New Specials of the Cult Favorite "The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs" in 2026
The announcement comes ahead of the Shudder original's celebratory series finale, airing live tonight, Friday, March 6 at 9pm ET on Shudder and AMC+.

[03/06/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Boarders" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Tubi Original
The coming-of-age comedy drama returns March 15.

[03/06/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel" - Official Trailer - Netflix
An in-depth look at the formative years of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the profound influence of original guitarist, Hillel Slovak.

[03/06/26 - 09:31 AM]
Paramount+ Announces New Original Series, "Garfield" (w/t), from Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Starring Emmy Award-Winning Lamorne Morris
Inspired by the original comic strip by Jim Davis, the series features the chonky feline at his finest, with each episode featuring the pop culture icon's signature sarcasm and hilarious lackadaisy.