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)





[10/07/26 - 10:33 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights Procedural "Murder in Cold Country," Starring Jennifer Beals and Katheryn Winnick to Debut in 2027
Beals and Winnick play detectives brought together by tragedy, bound by duty and forced to confront a killer whose crimes hit terrifyingly close to home.

[10/07/26 - 10:08 AM]
ESPN Studio Shows Continue Record Run with Strong September Audiences
Across ESPN's studio programming, average September viewership increased 7% year over year, continuing the strong audience trends seen throughout 2026.

[10/07/26 - 09:20 AM]
Video: "Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger" - Official Trailer - Hulu
Relive the event.

[10/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Some Secrets Can't Stay Hidden: Netflix Renews "The Hunting Wives" for Season 3
Season 2 is set to release on November 26, 2026, exclusively as a Netflix-branded series in nearly all countries where Netflix is available.

[10/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Date, Key Art, Trailer Debut - Hulu's "All's Fair" Season Two
"All's Fair" season two premieres November 4th with three episodes on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the US and on Disney+ internationally.

[10/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
BritBox Debuts First Look Images of Upcoming Drama Series "The Cadburys"
Filming recently concluded in Birmingham, and the series will launch on BritBox in 2027.

[10/07/26 - 09:00 AM]
USA Network Renews "Anna Pigeon" for Season Two
Following its debut, "Anna Pigeon" became USA Network's highest-rated original scripted series premiere in nearly eight years, with an average of 2.35 million total viewers within the seven days following the premiere.

[10/07/26 - 08:31 AM]
"Instadocs: AI Gone Wild" to Release on Netflix October 12
"Instadocs" is Netflix's quick-turn documentary series that moves at the speed of the story and arrives at the height of the conversation.

[10/07/26 - 08:30 AM]
"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2027" to Simulcast Live on ABC and Disney+ for the First Time Ever
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" will welcome award-winning comedian and actor Druski as the Chicago co-host.

[10/07/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Official Season 4 Trailer #2 - "Reasonable Doubt"
After a brutal attack leaves Jax's family and newly minted law firm shaken, nothing feels certain, especially their future.

[10/07/26 - 08:00 AM]
Disney+ to Stream Super Bowl LXI, Joining ESPN and ABC to Give Fans More Ways to Watch
In addition to Super Bowl LXI, two "Monday Night Football" regular-season games will be available to Disney+ subscribers in the lead-up to the big game.

[10/07/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "North of North" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Recharged and ready for her next chapter, Siaja leans on Ice Cove's tight-knit community to level up her life and build a future on her own terms.

[10/07/26 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "On Behalf of My Son" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After losing her son - a bus driver - in an accident, Vicentina seeks out the families of all the victims, determined to ask for forgiveness while grappling with her own grief.

[10/07/26 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "The Empress" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Netflix
With her marriage and the empire facing new hardships, Elisabeth is drawn down a path that will forever alter her life and the future of Europe.

[10/06/26 - 07:02 PM]
Video: Prime Video Releases Official Trailer for Hit Comedy Competition "LOL: Last One Laughing Philippines" Season 2
The new season premieres October 30, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video.