Reelz orders Viacom music doc series

VIS’s ABBA: Secrets of their Greatest Hits

US digital cablenet Reelz has ordered a 10-part music documentary series from Viacom International Studios (VIS) in the UK.

The Story of Songs is based on VIS’s UK-produced title ABBA: Secrets of their Greatest Hits and will be produced in partnership with Paramount Network in the UK.

The original 90-minute doc first aired on ViacomCBS-owned Channel 5 last October and was also acquired by Reelz to air this year.

Reelz’s new series will focus on a different global music legend in each 60-minute episode, diving into the stories behind some of the most iconic songs of the last century, from artists including Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Celine Dion and Metallica.

The deal is the first production for a US network by ViacomCBS’s in-house UK studio. It will air on Reelz in the US and Paramount Network in the UK later this year, with VIS Content Sales distributing the final series internationally.

It follows a January staff restructure at VIS with Jill Offman, who previously led Comedy Central and Paramount Network internationally, appointed executive MD of ViacomCBS International Studios UK.