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)





[09/04/26 - 10:01 AM]
Apple TV's Hit Drama "Silo" to Return for Fourth and Final Season on July 9, 2027
The complete third season of the acclaimed world-building drama starring and executive produced by Rebecca Ferguson is now streaming on Apple TV.

[09/04/26 - 08:01 AM]
Production Underway in Prague for Netflix Series Based on Dan Brown's "The Secret of Secrets"
Newly announced cast includes Mamadou Athie, Ben Levi Ross, Anamaria Marinca, Richard Sammel, and Elena Saurel.

[09/04/26 - 08:00 AM]
Paramount+ Celebrates Mexican Independence Day Weekend with Combat Sports Doubleheader on Saturday, September 12
The wall-to-wall action kicks off with Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT.

[09/04/26 - 03:31 AM]
Video: "Schumacher '94 - The Birth of a Legend" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Michael Schumacher's first World Championship win roars to life through personal interviews and archival footage of the legendary 1994 Formula 1 season.

[09/03/26 - 03:15 PM]
Brutal Murder Inspired by Horror Film Is First Original ABC News Video Podcast to Premiere Exclusively on Disney+ and Hulu Sept. 4
Based on the Hulu documentary, the six-part series - with new, never-before-seen material and hosted by the producers of the original documentary, Pat Rogers and Conor McCarthy - takes viewers deeper into the slaying of Idaho teenager Cassie Stoddart by killers influenced by a horror film.

[09/03/26 - 02:31 PM]
FOX Greenlights "Mammoth," A New Comedy Series from Emmy Award-Winning "Modern Family" Co-Creator/Executive Producer Christopher Lloyd and Executive Producer/Writer Danny Zuker
Based on the original BBC Studios U.K. production of the same name and created by Welsh comedian and writer Mike Bubbins, "Mammoth" is produced by FOX Entertainment Studios.

[09/03/26 - 02:01 PM]
"Famous Last Words" Honors the Life and Legacy of Gloria Steinem
Conducted by Emmy Award winner Brad Falchuk in February 2025, the episode captures Steinem not just as a media spokeswoman, but as a lifelong traveler on the road to justice.

[09/03/26 - 01:32 PM]
Video: Abbott House Rock - "Abbott Elementary" Season 6
No such thing as too cool for school(house).

[09/03/26 - 01:01 PM]
Netflix Expands Broadcast Team for First-Ever Regular Season NFL Game in Australia
The studio desk and in-game broadcast team will also return across Netflix's entire 2026-2027 NFL slate, with more names to come.

[09/03/26 - 11:03 AM]
Kevin Zegers, Paul Gross, and Milla Jovovich Join the Cast of "Heated Rivalry" Season 2
And the crowd goes crazy.

[09/03/26 - 11:03 AM]
Video: "R.J. Decker" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Premieres September 15
The stakes are higher and the cases are weirder, but R.J. Decker is just getting started.

[09/03/26 - 10:10 AM]
"Gold Rush" - New Season Premieres Friday, October 2 on Discovery Channel
As soaring gold prices attract a new wave of fortune seekers to the Yukon, mining veterans and ambitious newcomers alike risk everything in pursuit of life-changing riches.

[09/03/26 - 10:08 AM]
Deliciously Deceptive Desserts Hide in Plain Sight in New Food Network Series "Sweet Deceit" Hosted by Josh Peck
The series is hosted by actor Josh Peck, who hilariously commands the on-screen hijinks as he leads contestants through four rounds as they try to identify masterfully disguised sweets created by world-class cake artists.

[09/03/26 - 10:07 AM]
HBO Max Commemorates 25th Anniversary of HBO Original "Band of Brothers" with Debut of New Documentary "Band of Brothers: Legacy" and In-App Extra Content
Coinciding with the series' quarter-century milestone, the commemoration will feature the premiere of the new documentary, offering fans an intimate look at the series' production and enduring impact.

[09/03/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: Meet the Competition - "The Traitors: New Blood" - NBC
Ordinary people. Extraordinary deceit. Meet the everyday Americans who accepted the invitation to play the ultimate murder mystery game deep in the Scottish Highlands.