ReelzChannel Acquires Four Reality Series

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

ReelzChannel will premiere four acquired series in fall 2014, network officials said Monday.

New series include the Sept. 30 premiere of Celebrity Close Calls, which features first-hand accounts from movie stars and celebrities who experienced life and death situations; Jean-Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors (premiering Oct. 2), which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the life of the actor/martial artist; Gangsters: America’s Most Evil (Oct. 3), which chronicles the tales behind some of the most hardened criminals; and Full Throttle Saloon, which follows the exploits of the world’s largest biker bar in South Dakota.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.