ReelzChannel today announced that its new half-hour reality series Polka Kings will premiere this fall, taking viewers on a wild journey with The Chardon Polka Band as they try to survive each other and keep their personal and professional lives from derailing their quest for stardom.
Giving the traditional music genre a modern twist, these polka pioneers are willing to do whatever it takes to make it big, even if it means playing polka versions of songs by artists including Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. Constantly finding themselves in crazy situations ranging from private parties to nursing homes, Ukrainian summer camps to the Duct Tape Festival in Ohio, each week Polka Kings follows the dynamic, Middle American group's attempts to achieve mainstream status and their ultimate goal of headlining their dream event: Oktoberfest in Germany. Polka Kings begins production in spring 2014 and is produced by High Noon Entertainment with Jim Berger, Scott Feeley and Patrick Jager serving as Executive Producers.
"We're excited to give viewers a hilarious, insightful and surprising look at the world of polka that has never been seen before," said Stan E. Hubbard, CEO of ReelzChannel. "Polka Kings brings a fully relatable story of the American spirit through the experiences of a band that's as close as family and absolutely determined to achieve their dreams."
Polka may be coined "the happiest music on earth" but in Polka Kings there's no shortage of inter-band drama involving financial stresses, rocky romances and disapproving family members who are convinced polka isn't a real job. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the group was co-founded by front man and 27-year-old heartthrob Jake Kouwe and his best friend and sousaphone/bass player, Paul 'The Weird One' Coates. Following in step is Mike 'The Ladies Man' Franklin, contributing multiple musical talents including banjo, bass, backup vocals and yodeling; Pops "The Curmudgeon" Magooch, the 67-year-old drum player and Jake's 'second dad', whose real daughter is dating Paul, who is 20 years her junior; and saxophone and flute player, Emily Burke, who is dating Jake and is the only female member. A dynamic, hilarious group who at the end of the day love one another like family, this five-some is fighting tooth and nail to become the biggest act that polka has ever seen.
About High Noon Entertainment
A world-class content creator specializing in formats and character-driven programming, High Noon Entertainment develops, sells and produces across all unscripted genres for broadcast and cable networks, both domestically and internationally. With offices in Denver, Los Angeles and New York, High Noon's busy production slate includes hit shows such as
Cake Boss (TLC),
Tough Love (VH1), Dude You're Screwed (Discovery), Next Great Baker (TLC),
Guinness World Records Unleashed (truTV), Familia de Circo (Tr3s),
Trip Flip (Travel) as well as upcoming series Divas Del Azucar (Tr3s),
Fixer Upper (HGTV) and Polka Kings (Reelz). In 2013 alone, the company partnered with 20 networks, produced nearly 40 series, pilots and specials and delivered more than 200 hours of programming.
High Noon Entertainment is part of ITV Studios, a world leader in television production and distribution. In the UK, ITV is the leading commercial broadcaster and producer. ITV Studios has international production centers in the UK, Germany, France, the Nordics and Australia as well as America. The distribution business, ITV Studios Global Entertainment, sells programs and formats to all regions worldwide. ITV Studios Global Entertainment's consumer products division covers home entertainment, publishing, merchandise and licensing. For further information visit: www.itvstudios.com
About
ReelzChannel - Hollywood Happens Here(TM)
Reelz is a leading independent cable and satellite general entertainment network, connecting its viewers across
America with the magic, wonder and excitement of Hollywood wherever it happens. The network is home to cutting edge reality, ambitious television events, miniseries, movies and series featuring big stories and big stars. Programming ranges from the critically-acclaimed and award-winning The Kennedys to
Steven Seagal: Lawman to Beverly Hills Pawn, OK TV!,
Hollywood Scandals and much more that connects directly to the world of entertainment. Along with top movie and entertainment experts Leonard Maltin and Richard Roeper, the characters and stars of Reelz provide specific on-air recommendations for movies viewers can watch at home.
Reelz reaches 67 million homes on
DIRECTV channel 238, Dish Network channel 299, Verizon FiOS TV channel 233, AT&T U-verse channels 799/1799HD and cable systems nationwide. Find
ReelzChannel in your area by entering your zip code at www.Reelz.com/watch. Owned by Hubbard Media Group, Reelz is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM with national ad sales based out of New York City with offices in Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles and an entertainment bureau in Los Angeles.
