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)





[09/10/26 - 01:01 PM]
Video: NBC Debuts Official Promo & Highlights Key Art for "One Chicago"
The franchise follows the professional and personal lives of first responders and public service workers who lays themselves on the line to save and protect the citizens of the Windy City.

[09/10/26 - 01:00 PM]
CBS Announces 2026 Premiere Dates and Milestones for the #1 Daytime Lineup
The network has held its spot as the highest-rated network in daytime for 40 consecutive seasons.

[09/10/26 - 12:03 PM]
Get Unprecedented Access Inside Las Vegas' Golden Nugget Casino in "Secret Life of a Vegas Casino" - Premieres Tuesday, September 29 on Discovery Channel
Just off the chaos of busy Fremont Street, cameras capture the real-life and often shocking moments that unfold around the clock: unruly guests, high-pressure special events and the relentless efforts required to keep thousands of people safe and entertained each day.

[09/10/26 - 11:06 AM]
Video: Tubi Drops Official Trailer for New Original Horror-Comedy Film "Buzzkill"
When a group of sorority sisters find themselves trapped with a vengeful killer, party-girl Nora (Siena Agudong) knows that the drunker she gets, the more her tipsy memories start revealing clues about who's murdering her friends.

[09/10/26 - 11:06 AM]
Ovation TV to Debut the U.S. Premiere of "Murdoch Mysteries" Season 20 on October 5
Set in Toronto at the dawn of the 20th century, the one-hour drama series explores the intriguing world of William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson), a methodical and dashing detective who pioneers innovative forensic techniques to solve some of the city's most gruesome murders.

[09/10/26 - 11:02 AM]
Wisconsin-Notre Dame on NBC & Peacock Is NBC Sports' Third-Most Watched Notre Dame Football Game Since 2005, Averaging 8.1 Million Viewers
The audience for the No. 4 Fighting Irish's 41-13 victory peaked at 9.7 million viewers in the second quarter (9:15-9:30 p.m. ET) as Notre Dame led 13-10.

[09/10/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "Prison Break: Black Creek" - Now in Production - Hulu
Welcome to Black Creek Penitentiary.

[09/10/26 - 11:01 AM]
HBO to Debut the Tony and Olivier Award-Winning Play "Oh, Mary!" in 2027
Cole Escola, Giles Terera, Bianca Leigh, Tony Macht and Michael Urie will star in the filmed adaptation.

[09/10/26 - 11:00 AM]
E!'s New Gilded Pleasure Is Here! "The Golden Life" Premieres Tuesday, October 20 at 10 PM ET/PT
Kelly Bensimon, Countess Luann De Lesseps, Dorinda Medley, Sonja Morgan, and Ramona Singer are bringing decades of friendship and feuds to sunny Palm Beach, FL, for a new start in the Sunshine State.

[09/10/26 - 10:31 AM]
Karen Kingsbury's "The Christmas Ring" to Premiere as Part of Great American Christmas 2026
Jana Kramer, Ben Hollingsworth, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Ashley Brown, and Jessie James Decker star in the project, which is based on the 2025 book of the same name.

[09/10/26 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Teaser, Key Art & First Look Images for "The Good Daughter"
Rose Byrne, Meghann Fahy, Brendan Gleeson, Olivia Williams, and Harper Steele star in the project, premiering November 12.

[09/10/26 - 10:00 AM]
Snoop Dogg to Host the "2026 MTV Video Music Awards" ("VMAs") Sunday, Sept. 27 on CBS
Snoop Dogg is a 13-time "VMAs" nominee, having won three awards.

[09/10/26 - 09:56 AM]
OWN's Hit Dating Series "Ready to Love" Heads to Chicago for an All-New Season Premiering Friday, October 2
The series follows a vibrant group of successful Black singles in their 30s and 40s as they navigate the excitement, challenges, and unexpected twists of finding lasting love in the Windy City.

[09/10/26 - 09:31 AM]
Sam Morril Returns to Netflix with a New One-Hour Stand-Up Special, "Incorrect"
The special premieres globally on September 29.

[09/10/26 - 09:09 AM]
Women's Flyweight Championship Headlines First-Ever UFC Main Card to Air Live on Both CBS and Paramount+
UFC 332: Silva vs. Wang takes place Saturday, October 3 at the Delta Center and for the first time, the entire main card will air on both CBS and Paramount+, beginning at a special start time of 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.