REELZCHANNEL OPENS DOORS OF ALBUQUERQUE PRODUCTION FACILITIES AND CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
Lt. Governor Diane Denish and Mayor Martin Chavez Celebrated Another Milestone in the State's Quest to Build a Thriving Television and Movie Industry as They Welcomed First-Ever National TV Network to New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO [April 23, 2009] -- At a press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony today, ReelzChannel® -- TV About Movies -- officially opened the doors to its new production facilities and corporate headquarters, according to Stan E. Hubbard, CEO of ReelzChannel. Hubbard was joined by Lt. Governor Diane Denish who welcomed ReelzChannel as the state's first television network and recognized the importance of the network's move to Albuquerque as another milestone in the state's pursuit to make New Mexico a destination for the movie and television industry.
"ReelzChannel held a successful job fair in January and has filled most of their positions with local talent just three months after our administration announced that we had lured the network to New Mexico," Lt. Governor Denish said. "I am excited by the variety and quality of jobs ReelzChannel has created and expect numerous local businesses will benefit from the network's presence."
Also attending the event was Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez. "We are thrilled to welcome ReelzChannel to New Mexico and to celebrate this historic event," Mayor Chavez told the crowd. "We set out to make our city a world-class entertainment hub, and of all the networks to bring to New Mexico, it is particularly fitting that the first one is a TV network about movies."
Hubbard explained the reasoning behind the bold move from Los Angeles and the Twin Cities to Albuquerque by saying, "Hubbard Broadcasting was already familiar with the business-friendly climate of New Mexico as we have been operating KOB-TV for over 50 years. But when we saw what was going on here in the entertainment industry, we knew that it would be a great fit for ReelzChannel, as well." He went on to say, "With the level of support and the warm welcome we have received here, we are now even more convinced that this is the right move for us."
Leonard Matlin, renowned movie critic and host of ReelzChannel's "Secret's Out with Leonard Maltin," shared in the ribbon-cutting duties with the Lt. Governor, Mayor, and Hubbard. Maltin talked about the network's appeal to movie fans and his passion for the "hidden gems" he highlights each week, including some of his favorite movies shot in New Mexico. ReelzChannel's other on-air talent hosted tours of the network's state-of-the-art, all-digital studios and facilities for media and film industry guests.
The new headquarters, located at Albuquerque Studios, marks the first time that the programming, production, web development, affiliate relations, creative services, marketing and communications divisions will operate from a single location, facilitating ultimate production and operations flexibility. The streamlined operations also allow the network to operate all aspects of production and delivery in-house, including live broadcasts and post production.
ReelzChannel® - TV About Movies™, is the only cable/satellite network and website dedicated to everything about movies. The network and website (http://www.reelzchannel.com) feature entertaining original programs and content that offer a fresh perspective on movies, from behind-the-scenes movie clips and new release movie reviews to the latest movie trailers and suggestions for what to see tonight at home or in the theater. On ReelzChannel.com movie fans can check movie times with local movie theater listings, find new movies currently playing on TV and watch full-length movie trailers. In addition to extensive cable and telco carriage in markets across the country, ReelzChannel TV is carried via satellite on DIRECTV (Channel 238) and DISH Network (Channel 299), and is reaching more than 45 million homes nationwide. Local channel information is available on the website's home page through a zip code look-up. In Albuquerque, ReelzChannel is now available on Comcast (Channel 161).
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Pamela Howell/ReelzChannel – VP, Corporate Communications
phowell@reelzchannel.com
651.659.7073 / 612.860.5589 (cell)
Robyn McPeters/McPeters Company Public Relations
mcpetersco@aol.com
505.982.1428 / 949.678.3066 (cell)