nyctv
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| Type | Terrestrial television |
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| Branding | "Everything New York" |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | New York City area; also distributed nationally |
| Founded | 2003 by Arick Wierson, Seth Unger |
| Broadcast area | New York City |
| Owner | New York City |
| Key people | Michael Bloomberg, Mayor Arick Wierson, General Manager |
| Launch date | June 24, 2003 |
| Former names | Crosswalk Television |
| Former callsigns | WNYC |
| Group | NYC Media Group |
| Website [1] |
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NYC TV - sometimes branded in lowercase text as nyctv - is the brand name of the broadcast service run by NYC Media Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York City. Its main broadcast channel reaches the New York City metropolitan area and is carried on all cable and satellite systems serving 7.4 million households (approximately 20 million people) in the New York City tri-state market. It is seen in the New York City area on WNYE-TV channel 25 on all systems save Cablevision where it airs on channel 22. NYC TV is also the name given to five additional cable channels that air on Time Warner, Cablevision and RCN systems in the five boroughs of New York City, making NYC TV the largest local television group in the largest television market in the United States. The station has recently begun operating several digital multicast channels. NYC TV Original Productions is a television production company, specializing in lifestyle and documentary format content. It is a subsidiary of NYC TV, but NYC TV is not its sole client. As a producer of several original award-winning shows, NYC TV and NYC TV Original Productions are recognized as pioneers in local television in the United States and internationally.
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[edit] History
nyctv replaced "Crosswalks Television," the city government's previous broadcast outlet, in 2003. Mayor Michael Bloomberg brought in Arick Wierson, a former investment banker, and Seth Unger, a co-founder of a small independent record label based in New York City, turn-around the then fledgling cable station and rebuild it with a new programming lineup]].[1] .
In early 2005, Wierson formed NYC Media Group, a holding corporation that would absorb the NYC TV cable stations. He then set about acquirring WNYE-TV as well as WNYE-FM and encorporating them into the newly formed group. Since that time, NYC Media Group has grown and created several independent operating companies that are active in the media sector. Today, the group manages five New York City cable television networks reaching approximately 1.8 million households each, one full power FM radio station (WNYE-FM 91.5FM), a distribution arm called Skyscraper Syndication, a production company named NYC TV Original Productions, an events and promotions arm called NYC TV Events and a stock-footage company called StockStore. NYC TV operates on annual budget estimated at $50 million, ten percent of which is provided by the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT), with the remainder coming from sponsors, franchise fees, licensing, leased-time, ad salesm and DVD sales and merchanidizing. The Media Group has about 200 employees, about 1/3 of which are permanent free-lancers, most of which work for the TV stations and NYC TV Original Productions.
The local cable channels programmed by NYC TV provide coverage of a diverse array of programming formats ranging from horse-racing (off-track betting) on channel 71, local politics and government news on channel 74, traffic and weather on channel 72 and 93, and ethnic/international programming on channel 73.
NYC TV has received attention as an innovator in municipal broadcasting. Since its inception, the network's production arm, NYC TV Original Productions, has been nominated for 116 Emmy awards, winning 33. It has also won 42 Telly Awards and 4 Promax Awards and was recently nomintaed for 4 Webby Awards.[2] City's such as Seoul, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Los Angeles have expressed interest in replicating the station's success.
On September 24, 2007 Mayor Bloomberg held a press conference[2] to introduce NYC TV On Demand, a partnership with online video platform Brightcove to offer on demand programming online.[3]
[edit] Ratings
The once-overlooked station has soared in the ratings to and average 150,000 viewers for its most popular shows, making it one of the most-watched local stations in the New York market. Its success in attracting viewers is largely viewed as having translated into commercial success. NYC TV now has a wide range of sponsors and underwriters supporting the station's showss. Advertisers such as Suburu, American Express, Delta Airlines, Snapple as well as a many local establishments have been active in underwriting NYC TV programs.
In 2006, NYC TV became the first public broadcaster in the United States to enter into a deal with a major private broadcast network, NBC, to air its shows.[2] NYC TV aired weekdays on WNBC and on digital channel 4.4 / 28.4. Selected programs air in prime time on WNYE-TV, a public television station in New York City. Continental, Delta, and South African airlines have featured NYCTV on their flights. Carnival Cruiselines launched an NYC TV close-circuit channel on its New-York bound cruise lines in 2006. In that same year, NYC TV programming became available for purchase on DVD.
[edit] Programming
NYC TV programming on its flagship channel 25 is focused principally on actuality formats such as lifetstyle, documentary and reality entertainment. The show formats range from shows like Globe Trekker, Video Fashion News, and Endless Feast to NYC TV original programs such as East Out | NY, "New York 360*," and Cool in Your Code as well as the nationally syndicated show, Secrets of New York. Other popular programs, like New York Noise and The Bridge focus on the city's music scene. New York Noise has a loyal following among musicians. Tommy Ramone was the host of an episode and the show has featured such bands as Fischerspooner, Animal Collective, Cat Power and the National. The show is filmed around the city, from longtime clubs like Irving Plaza to the accordion shop Main Squeeze.
Below is a list of original nyctv programming:
- $9.99 - A guide to free and cheap attractions.
- Blueprint NYC - Tours of New York's iconic locations (Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall, Central Park)in a style similar to MTV Cribs.
- Backdrop NYC - Focuses on short films shot and set in New York City. The host interviews filmmakers about the challenges of making their documentaries, animations, or films in the city.
- Cool In Your Code - Suggestions on places for people to meet and things to do in the city's 200-plus ZIP codes.
- Eat Out NY - An insider's guide to popular places to eat, as well as interviews with chefs.
- It's my Park - Highlights the features of New York City's 28,000 acres (110 km²) of parkland. www.nyc.gov/parks/video
- NYC 360 - Takes viewers through trends in music, fashion, advertising, and blogging.
- NYC Paradetown USA - Features the city's many parades.
- Secrets of New York - The host explores the city's sewers, subway tunnels, and history, teaching viewers about infrastructure and neighborhood history.
- The Bridge - Chronicles hip-hop's early days (hip-hop began in New York City). Each episode features vintage video of the New York scene.
[edit] Criticisms
Since the relaunch of the station, the station's popularity has been reflected in ratings, advertiser support, and press coverage. Despite these successes, the station has come under some degree of criticism from the New York City City Council, and Councilmember Gale Brewer who has called NYC TV "too hip and flashy." In 2006 there was a memorable exchange at a public hearing on the station between Brewer and NYC Media Group president and co-founder Arick Wierson in which Wierson countered Brewer's criticisms by stating that "Television is meant to be watched." Brewer has advocated that NYC TV has strayed from its original mission in search of audience share and advertising dollars. [4] Wierson has countered in Council testimony that “television is meant to be watched.” [5]
[edit] References
- ^ New From City Hall, TV Worth Watching. New York Times. Retrieved on 2003-09-18.
- ^ a b c Mayor Announces NYCTV OD (English). http://nyc.gov/html/nycmg/nyctvod/html/home/ (2007-09-24).
- ^ "Big Apple teams for web TV: Bloomberg announces deal with Brightcove", http://www.multichannel.com/, 2007-09-24. (English)
- ^ Municipal Television – A Clash Of Vision. Gotham Gazette. Retrieved on 2006-10-18.
- ^ Brewer Critical Of NYC-TV's Coverage. NY Sun. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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