ReelzChannel has named Mike Smith senior VP of programming and hired Steve Holzer as executive producer of original programming.
Smith, a television executive of more than 30 years duration, has been on special assignment with the network since September.
"In less than six weeks, Mike Smith launched a new schedule and three new shows. Since October 5th we have a different network with a schedule, programming and on-air look that is more engaging for our viewers," CEO Stan Hubbard said in a release. "Mike is a strong leader and a seasoned television executive. We look forward to bringing even more excitement to our viewers in the coming months with more new shows under his strong and insightful direction."
Holzer has 20 years of local and national programming experience, with stints at TV stations in Los Angeles and at Lifetime.
"As a network built primarily on original programming, Steve's leadership and experience is having an immediate impact that can already be seen every day on ReelzChannel," Hubbard said in the release.
Prior to joining ReelzChannel, Smith worked 16 years for networks owned by parent company Hubbard Broadcasting, most recently as director of programming for KSTP-TV and KSTC-TV in St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minn. He began his career in television in 1979 as a production assistant for the news department of WXYZ-TV (ABC) in Detroit, then moved to WEYI-TV (CBS) in Flint, Mich., and in 1987 joined WHO-TV (NBC) in Des Moines, Iowa, as producer/director of the evening newscasts and was later promoted to production manager and special projects producer.
Holzer was producer of Los Angeles' top-rated morning show Good Day L.A. from 2006-2009, where he was part of the team responsible for the structure of the 3-hour show. From 2001-2004, he was executive producer for KCAL-KCBS TV/Los Angeles where he oversaw daily news coverage on seven newscasts between two stations and supervised a newsroom staff of more than 100 reporters and editors. He was also a key member of the management team that developed the largest TV duopoly in the country.
Earlier, at L.A.'s KNBC-TV, he won an Emmy Award for news coverage of the 1998 elections. Before that he worked at KCNC-TV in Denver and was a writer for the Associated Press.
At Lifetime Television, Holzer was co-executive producer, where he helped create and launch a 30-minute weekly talk show addressing women's health issues.
ReelzChannel, based in Albuquerque, N.M., features original programs about movies and reaches more than 46 million homes nationwide.
