If you like the sensationalist content of Reelz, there’s no reason you need to stick with cable to enjoy it. Read on to learn your options.
In a hurry? Reelz isn’t widely supported in the streaming industry, but a few great services offer it:
- DIRECTV STREAM: Makes it easy to switch from cable to streaming with their 75+ channel Entertainment plan and options for much more. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
- Sling TV: The top low-cost streaming service provides a great base channel lineup in both its plans. Save 50% your first month with Sling TV.
- Philo: This service gives you 60+ live TV channel for just $25/mo!
If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve.
Table Of Contents
You’re waiting in line at the grocery store, and it’s taking forever. What’s your convenient, reliable source of entertainment?
You don’t have to admit it to us, but you know you read them: the supermarket tabloid headlines. Mmm, feel that sweet sweet schadenfreude. And that same irresistible, victimless emotional rubbernecking instinct is exactly why people watch Reelz.
What Is Reelz
Reelz was founded as ReelzChannel in 2006 by Hubbard Broadcasting, which also owns the art-focused Ovation. Originally, it covered a lot of the same material as E! — movie reviews, entertainment news, and red carpet coverage of awards.
The name was shortened to Reelz in 2012. Over time, it’s narrowed its focus to the tragic, the morbid, and the salacious stories of famous people from actors to presidents.
The true-crime genre, in vogue on and off for decades, is currently experiencing a high in popularity. This is reflected in the present spate of murder and real-life mystery channels: A+E’s Crime + Investigation, Discovery’s Investigation Discovery (ID), NBCUniversal’s Oxygen, and Dan Abrams’s Law + Crime.
Networks covering celebrity lifestyles (and shenanigans), such as PeopleTV and E! are addictive guilty-pleasure fodder. Reelz double-dips, so to speak, by attracting fans of both true crime and celebrity gossip and goings-on.
By combining the two, it manages to stand out from channels that focus on one or the other. Plus, the majority of its content is originally-produced, so it’s not just another Law & Order rerun factory.
Reelz Shows
Reelz’s most popular shows tend toward the sensationalist docusoap end of documentaries. They are entertaining, but you’re not likely to discover who really killed Kennedy or anything. It’s more along the lines of The Smoking Gun covering murders instead of shoplifting and drunk driving arrests.
They also have shows about scandal without the murder, if you prefer your scuttlebutt sans blood. And there are COPS and COPS Reloaded for an extra hardcore dose of reality.
Featured series include:
- Autopsy: The Last Hours Of: A forensic pathologist examines celebrity deaths, usually ones that were sudden, early, or mysterious. The current season’s documentaries include Grace Kelly, Whitney Houston, and Tom Petty.
- Friends Speak: Friends of notorious criminals or their victims are interviewed. Current subjects include Bobbi Kristina Brown and Carole Baskin.
- Murder Made Me Famous: A deep dive with People crime reporter Steve Helling into high profile murders and what creates a celebrity criminal. Upcoming episodes feature the Menendez brothers, the DC Sniper, and the BTK Killer.
- The Price of Fame: A look at the dark side of celebrity, examining the tragic aspects of the lives — and deaths, where applicable — of various entertainers. Celebs covered include Angelina Jolie, Robin Williams, Patrick Swayze, and Carrie Fisher.
- The Real Story Of: The true stories behind “inspired by real events” movies. Films picked apart include Munich, Donnie Brascoe, Zero Dark Thirty, and Lone Survivor.
Unblock Your Favorite Movies and Shows With a VPN
If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, a VPN will allow you to get the access you are entitled to, plus extra security and unequalled privacy. Check out our VPN Guide for everything you need to know, including our top pick ExpressVPN.
Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
Stream Reelz
Reelz isn’t the most ubiquitous channel, but it’s not super-obscure, either. It’s a pay channel, but you don’t need to pay cable’s high prices or commit to their long contract periods.
These streaming services all carry Reelz for cheaper than your average cable or satellite service and you pay month-to-month. Cancel anytime.
Philo
Philo likes to keep it simple. It’s got one package with 60+ channels for only $25/mo. The lineup includes Crime + Investigation, ID, Law & Crime, and PeopleTV. But if you subscribe to the Movies & More add-on (just $3/mo additional), you get Reelz, plus Cinémoi, HDNet Movies, MGM HD, and Sony Movies.
The base plan comes with unlimited cloud DVR and simultaneous streaming on up to three devices. Get more information in our Philo review.
Sling TV
Sling TV is a bit more complicated, but the flexibility can be worth the extra decision-making. First, you choose a base package for $40.00/mo. For Reelz fans, we recommend Sling Blue, which has has 40+ channels including ID, E!, and Oxygen.
Then you can customize your package with add-ons and premiums. The Hollywood Extra includes Reelz, Start TV, FXM, and more movie-centric networks for $6/mo.
The Sling Blue plan comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage and streaming on up to 3 devices at once. There are more details in our Sling TV review.
DIRECTV STREAM
The streaming version of DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM leans on its pre-existing longstanding partnerships with content creators and distributors (NBCUniversal, Paramount Global, Discovery, etc) to give you a wide variety of the most popular channels.
The base tier, the Entertainment Package, is $79.99/mo and includes Reelz and its sister-channel Ovation, E!, ID, and roughly 80 other networks.
All plans come with unlimited DVR storage (online orders) and streaming on unlimited devices. See our DIRECTV STREAM review for more details.
Get DIRECTV STREAM Free for 5 Days
Other Ways to Watch
- Reelz Now: Reelz Now lets you watch Reelz content on-demand, but you have to log in with your TV provider. Note this only provides on-demand movies and episodes (like Netflix), not a live channel (with a schedule).
- Stand-Alone Subscription: Subscribe to the Reelz app through Amazon Prime Video Channels or the Roku Channel Store for $1.99/mo.
- Free Ad-Supported Streaming Sites: Most of the major free ad-supported web/app-based services have a Reelz channel: Xumo, The Roku Channel (not to be confused with the Roku Channel Store), Tubi, Redbox, IMDB TV (on Amazon.com), and Pluto TV. Note this will not be the same as the Reelz channel you get with a pay service. Content may be limited and will reflect older episodes.
TVs and Devices to Stream Reelz
All the major streaming services support the most popular devices in use. The ones we’ve discussed support the following:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Android mobile
- Chromecast
- iOS devices
- Roku
- Web browsers.
Sling and DIRECTV STREAM support Samsung smart TVs. Sling and Philo support Android TV-based devices.
Sling supports a number of other devices including LG and VIZIO smart TVs as well as Xbox and Oculus gaming systems.
See our streaming service reviews for more details.
Superpower Your Live TV Streaming With a VPN
You can’t beat a VPN for privacy, security, and access. We have used them for years as an important part of our streaming toolkit and we recommend ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
| i | See our VPN Buyer’s Guide for complete information on how to choose the best VPN for your needs. |
Today’s Reelz Schedule
Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:
| Cops – Arizona Tour of the county jail; heated argument ends in a fired weapon; automobile accident; woman is injured during an argument. | |
| Cops – Arizona Suspects nearly hit an officer during a getaway; officers arrest a man throwing things off a balcony; a man says his girlfriend ran into a field intending to commit suicide; in Arizona. | |
| Shark CarpetXpertTM with StainStrikerTM 2-in-1 deep carpet cleaner with built-in spot & stain remove Shark CarpetXpert with StainStriker, 2-in-1 deep carpet and upholstery cleaner with a handheld spot & stain eliminator, combines Shark's powerful suction & deep-cleaning innovation to deliver unbeatable deep carpet cleaning & tough stain elimination. | |
| Portable Oxygen Inogen® is a leading global medical technology company offering innovative respiratory products for use in the homecare setting. | |
| Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Meet the Shark Ninja Wood Fire Grill, with Master Grill, BBQ Smoke, and Air Fry outdoor capabilities. Powered by electricity and flavored by real burning wood pellets, Woodfire Technology allows you to easily create rich flavor you can see and taste. | |
| Paid Programming Paid programming. | |
| Mercy Ships Mercy Ship's crew of world class medical volunteers sail across the globe providing lifesaving surgeries to those with nowhere else to turn. | |
| Oxypure Zero, Air Purifier With Zero Replacement Filters JD Scott shares the Oxypure Zero, a wifi-enabled air purifier with zero replacement filters. | |
| Air Crash Confidential – Emergency Landings The story of an American pilot who became a hero after landing his damaged plane on the Hudson River saving everyone onboard. | |
| Air Crash Confidential – Nevada Triangle The tragic story of a sports team, stranded in the snow swept Andes, and forced to use desperate measures to survive after a plane crash caused by the mountainous terrain. | |
| Air Crash Confidential – Flying Blind The lives of two very different air traffic controllers and the way that they work in a dangerous environment trying to prevent mid-air collisions. | |
| Scream: The Shocking Truth A horrifying murder in Florida in the early 1990s was the inspiration for the very popular "Scream" movies. | |
| Dead Man Talking: The Execution of Gary Gilmore Convicted murderer Gary Gilmore shocks the world by requesting an immediate execution. | |
| Most Shocking – Undercover Stings Law enforcement officers go under cover in the backwoods of Georgia to break up a prescription drug ring; a routine traffic stop turns into a brawl and a drug bust worth thousands of dollars; the Coast Guard uses force to stop drug runners. | |
| Most Shocking – Wild Riots 2 A murder victim's family reacts when the suspect is brought before a judge; armed rebels infiltrate a campus protest, then open fire on police; after making a late hit, a peewee football player gets sacked by an irate coach. | |
| Cops – Taking Flight Deputies pursue a suspicious vehicle; officers question male suspects who are soliciting sex while wearing makeup and women's clothing. | |
| Cops – Pitted Against Each Other Officers chase a driver believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run accident; a woman's son damages her home after having too much to drink. | |
| Cops – Messy Situation Vice unit targets prostitutes; an officer finds drug paraphernalia and a loaded pistol in female suspect's car. | |
| Cops – Bad Fences Make for Bad Neighbors A deputy pursues a vehicle through a city park. | |
| Sheriffs of El Dorado County – K-9 to the Rescue Police search for a robbery suspect who has a felony warrant for his arrest; a call from a mother who claims her son is attacking her; a traffic stop leads to a drug possession charge. | |
| Sheriffs of El Dorado County – Domestic Violence A woman's boyfriend is arrested for domestic violence; a search for two missing tourists; a naked transient occupies a supermarket bathroom for over an hour. | |
| On Patrol: Live – Hotel Assault A Lee County, FL officer hears gun shots and responds and officers in Richland County, SC capture a suspect after a hotel assault. | |
| On Patrol: First Shift A discussion of what's in store for the upcoming episode of "On Patrol: Live" and a sneak peek of the departments and officers that the cameras will be following that night; the hosts also look back at the most memorable moments from past episodes. | |
| On Patrol: Live Hosts Dan Abrams, retired Tulsa Police Department Sgt. Sean "Sticks" Larkin and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson provide analysis as law enforcement officers on patrol across the country are followed in real time. | |
| On Patrol: Live Hosts Dan Abrams, retired Tulsa Police Department Sgt. Sean "Sticks" Larkin and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson provide analysis as law enforcement officers on patrol across the country are followed in real time. |
Wrapping Up
So go ahead, roll around in all that delicious sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll scandal with Reelz, and see if truth really is stranger than fiction.
When it comes to streaming Reelz, our first choice is Philo. Try Philo free for 7 days.
FAQ
What is the difference between Reelz Now and Reelz apps on Fire TV?
Most streaming platforms, including Amazon Fire TV and Roku, support both Reelz Now and Reelz, and it can get confusing as to which is which. We’re going to get a little technical here, so stick with us:
- Reelz Now is the app/web-based on-demand service that you sign into with your TV provider. It uses the TV Everywhere system, which is a protocol supported by most pay channels and most pay TV providers to allow you to access channels and on-demand content from that channel on different platforms (for example, watch TV on your computer or phone instead of your TV). If you don’t have a pay TV provider in the form of a cable, telecom, satellite, or streaming TV subscription, you can’t use it.
- Reelz is the one you want if you don’t have or want a TV provider and you want to watch Reelz (the live channel, not just on-demand). It’s currently $1.99/mo, and available on Amazon Prime Video Channels or the Roku Channel Store. Just subscribe, and the channel will be added to your available content on that platform.
Ditch “Big Cable” Now – 3 Simple Steps to Cut the Cord
- Pick the right streaming service
- Get the content you deserve with the best VPN.
- Supercharge your internet provider
That’s it — you’ll save money, take back control, and enjoy TV more!
Page Updates ▼▲
-
Added sub-section. Misc content updates. Deleted unneeded sub-section.
-
Updated some sub-sections. Image changes. Added a few links.
-
Added buttons for streaming services. Image changes. Additional links.
-
Additional links.
-
Added buttons for streaming services. Added VPN info. Pricing updates. Misc changes.
-
Added buttons for streaming services. Image changes. Pricing updates. Linking.
-
Image changes.
-
Added sub-section. Image changes. Added some links. Pricing updates. Deleted unneeded sub-section.
-
Added a few links. Various content updates. Changes to formatting.
-
States That Have Produced the Best Actors and Actresses - 09/06/2022 -
Exclusive Sports on Hulu + Live TV - 07/24/2022 -
Just How Good Is Hulu + Live TV’s Local TV Coverage? - 07/03/2022