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Trailer

Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession

2004Movie2 h 1 minR

DocumentaryHistory
75
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6Metacritic85–Rotten Tomatoes100%86%

A nostalgic history movie about a real life story and show business.

Good for friends night · teens · background watch

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares, brutality or laughs.

Movies with

Story

A documentary on the Z Channel, one of the first pay cable stations in the US, and its programming chief, Jerry Harvey. Debuting in 1974, the LA-based channel's eclectic slate of movies became a prime example of the untapped power of cable television.

Feels like

  • Film History Documentary
  • Media Industry Insight
  • Obsessive Curatorship
  • Cable TV Evolution
  • Cinephile Culture
  • Unconventional Programming
  • Behind-the-Scenes
  • Nostalgic Look Back
  • Impact of Technology

Cast

13 of 13

Crew

Directed by
Xan Cassavetes
Produced by
Marshall Persinger, Steve Matzkin, Rick Ross
Music by
Steven Hufsteter

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

May 16, 2004 · 2 h 1 min · R

Released
May 16, 2004
Runtime
2 h 1 min
Age rating
R
Genres
History, Documentary
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
2 countries

Q&A

3 questions, like "Where can I stream Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession?"

Questions about Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession?

PrimeHooplaFandango at Home FreeGuideDocPluto TVNight Flight+Shout! Factory TVPlex

In the United States, Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession streams on Prime, GuideDoc, and Night Flight+, and it is free with ads on Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, Plex, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Tubi TV, and Amazon MX Player. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 1 other country.

Is Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75 (IMDb 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 85). Critics rate it higher (93 out of 100) than audiences (81).

Is Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (7 of 10) and dialogue centrality (7 of 10) more than on its plot.