NYCTV
Encyclopedia
NYC TV is a group of Government-access television (GATV) broadcast and cable TV channels operated by NYC Media Group
, a division of the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications. NYC TV is considered to be the catalyst behind the trend in "localism" in modern broadcast television in the United States.
Its main over-the-air broadcast channel, WNYE-TV
(channel 25), reaches the New York City metropolitan area, which includes Nassau
, Orange
, Putnam
, Suffolk
and Westchester
counties in New York state as well as portions of New Jersey
and Connecticut
. WNYE-TV is carried on all area cable and satellite systems. NYC TV's main broadcast signal, WNYE-TV, reaches 7.43 million households (approximately 20 million people) in the New York City market, thus making NYC TV the fifth largest local television station in the United States. The main broadcast station is seen in the New York City area on channel 25 on all cable and satellite systems with the exception of Cablevision, where it is seen on channel 22.
NYC TV is also the name given to five additional cable channels that air on Time Warner
, Cablevision, Verizon Fios
and RCN
systems in the five boroughs of New York City. The station has recently begun operating several digital multicast sub-channels, also known as DTV channels. NYC-DT1 is a clone of the analog channel, NYC-DT2 is a clone of its cable only traffic and weather channel known "City Drive Live" and NYC-DT3, also being branded as NYCTV-HD, is expected to launch in May, 2009, and will be an all High-Definition version of the primary analog channel.
NYCTV has been recognized with 160 New York Emmy nominations and 42 New York Emmy Awards.
and Arick Wierson
- both aides to Mayor Bloomberg - launched NYC-TV, which replaced "Crosswalks Television," the name of the previous network.
In 2005, NYC TV expanded when it acquired WNYE-TV
along with the radio station WNYE-FM. The new group was called NYC Media Group
. 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, NYC TV has been nominated for 160 New York Emmy Awards, winning 42. It has also won 42 Telly Awards
and 4 Promax Awards
and was recently nominated for 4 Webby Awards. Cities 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 to introduce NYC TV On Demand, a partnership with online video platform Brightcove
to offer on demand
programming online.
, American Express
, Delta
and Snapple
, as well as 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. 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.
, VideoFashion News, and Endless Feast, to NYC TV original programs such as Eat 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. Well known Indie and electronica stars such as Moby are known to pop in for surprise appearances and performances. Artists like Beirut and groups such as Vampire Weekend
and the Plain White T's openly credit their big break to the show and its producer, Shirley Braha
. The show is filmed around the city, from longtime clubs like Irving Plaza to the accordion shop Main Squeeze.
Below is a list of some of the original series on NYCTV:
NYC Media Group
NYC Media is the radio, television, and online media network of the City of New York. It oversees four public television channels, two public radio services, and an Internet video on demand service....
, a division of the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications. NYC TV is considered to be the catalyst behind the trend in "localism" in modern broadcast television in the United States.
Its main over-the-air broadcast channel, WNYE-TV
WNYE-TV
WNYE-TV, channel 25 is an non-commercial educational, independent television station located in New York City, USA. WNYE-TV is part of the NYC Media Group and has its studios located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and transmitter at the Conde Nast Building....
(channel 25), reaches the New York City metropolitan area, which includes Nassau
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
, Orange
Orange County, New York
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley...
, Putnam
Putnam County, New York
Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the lower Hudson River Valley. Putnam county formed in 1812, when it detached from Dutchess County. , the population was 99,710. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The county seat is the hamlet of Carmel...
, Suffolk
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
and Westchester
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
counties in New York state as well as portions of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. WNYE-TV is carried on all area cable and satellite systems. NYC TV's main broadcast signal, WNYE-TV, reaches 7.43 million households (approximately 20 million people) in the New York City market, thus making NYC TV the fifth largest local television station in the United States. The main broadcast station is seen in the New York City area on channel 25 on all cable and satellite systems with the exception of Cablevision, where it is seen on channel 22.
NYC TV is also the name given to five additional cable channels that air on Time Warner
Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is an American cable television company that operates in 28 states and has 31 operating divisions...
, Cablevision, Verizon Fios
Verizon FiOS
Verizon FiOS is a bundled Internet access, telephone, and television service which operates over a fiber-optic communications network. It is offered in some areas of the United States by Verizon Communications. Verizon was one of the first major U.S...
and RCN
RCN Corporation
RCN Corporation, founded in 1993 and based in Herndon, Virginia, is the first American facilities-based competitive provider of bundled telephone, cable television and high-speed internet service delivered over its own fiber-optic local network to consumers in the Boston, New York, Eastern...
systems in the five boroughs of New York City. The station has recently begun operating several digital multicast sub-channels, also known as DTV channels. NYC-DT1 is a clone of the analog channel, NYC-DT2 is a clone of its cable only traffic and weather channel known "City Drive Live" and NYC-DT3, also being branded as NYCTV-HD, is expected to launch in May, 2009, and will be an all High-Definition version of the primary analog channel.
NYCTV has been recognized with 160 New York Emmy nominations and 42 New York Emmy Awards.
History
In 2003, co-founders Seth UngerSeth Unger
Seth Unger is a co-founder of NYC TV, the network he and Arick Wierson launched in 2003 while working for Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Among Unger's most notable accomplishments at the network is the creation of "Blueprint | NYC", a documentary series that highlights local architectural and historical...
and Arick Wierson
Arick Wierson
Arick Wierson is an American-born media executive and entrepreneur. His has business interests that span television and film production, political consultancy, and a variety of business interests in the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Africa...
- both aides to Mayor Bloomberg - launched NYC-TV, which replaced "Crosswalks Television," the name of the previous network.
In 2005, NYC TV expanded when it acquired WNYE-TV
WNYE-TV
WNYE-TV, channel 25 is an non-commercial educational, independent television station located in New York City, USA. WNYE-TV is part of the NYC Media Group and has its studios located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and transmitter at the Conde Nast Building....
along with the radio station WNYE-FM. The new group was called NYC Media Group
NYC Media Group
NYC Media is the radio, television, and online media network of the City of New York. It oversees four public television channels, two public radio services, and an Internet video on demand service....
. The local cable channels programmed by NYC TV provide coverage of a diverse array of programming formats ranging from horse-racing (off-track betting
Off-track betting
Off-track betting refers to sanctioned gambling on horse racing outside a race track.-US history:...
) 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, NYC TV has been nominated for 160 New York Emmy Awards, winning 42. It has also won 42 Telly Awards
Telly Awards
The Telly Award is an award presented by the namesake, New York City-based organization. The stated purpose of the award is to "honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web." The...
and 4 Promax Awards
Promax Awards
PromaxBDA Awards honor design and marketing work in the advertising and promotions business from a company or individual that is broadcast, published or released in their respective markets....
and was recently nominated for 4 Webby Awards. Cities such as Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
have expressed interest in replicating the station's success.
On September 24, 2007 Mayor Bloomberg held a press conference to introduce NYC TV On Demand, a partnership with online video platform Brightcove
Brightcove
Brightcove is a Cambridge, MA based company that produces an Online Video Platform .- History :Brightcove was founded in 2004 by Jeremy Allaire, who now serves as CEO. In March 2006, Brightcove acquired Seattle-based Metastories, makers of StoryMaker, a publishing tool for video, audio, images, and...
to offer on demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
programming online.
Ratings
The once-overlooked station has soared in the ratings with an 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 shows. Companies such as SubaruSubaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
, American Express
American Express
American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
, Delta
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
and Snapple
Snapple
Snapple is a brand of tea and juice drinks which is owned by Dr Pepper Snapple Group and based in Plano, Texas. The brand was founded in 1972. The brand achieved some notoriety due to various pop-culture references including television shows.-History:...
, as well as 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
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, to air its shows. NYC TV aired weekdays on WNBC
WNBC
WNBC, virtual channel 4 , is the flagship station of the NBC television network, located in New York City. WNBC's studios are co-located with NBC corporate headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan...
and on digital channel 4.4 / 28.4. Selected programs air in prime time on WNYE-TV
WNYE-TV
WNYE-TV, channel 25 is an non-commercial educational, independent television station located in New York City, USA. WNYE-TV is part of the NYC Media Group and has its studios located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and transmitter at the Conde Nast Building....
, a public television station in New York City. Continental
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
, Delta
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
, 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.
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 TrekkerGlobe Trekker
Globe Trekker is an adventure tourism television series produced by Pilot Productions. The British-based series was inspired by the Lonely Planet travelbooks and began airing in 1994...
, VideoFashion News, and Endless Feast, to NYC TV original programs such as Eat Out NY
Eat Out NY
Eat Out NY is a local television series that explores New York City's restaurants. The program runs in the New York City area on NYC TV and on WNBC...
, New York 360*, and Cool in Your Code
Cool In Your Code
Cool In Your Code is a television show on nyctv, New York City's Public-access television channel, as well as on sister station WNYE-TV. The show profiles various ZIP codes in New York City with the tagline "It's the city, unzipped." The show has won three regional Emmys.Shortly afterward, a...
as well as the nationally syndicated show, Secrets of New York
Secrets of New York
Secrets of New York is the all-time most recognized television program in the history of the New York Tri-State television market, having won 16 Emmy Awards since 2006 on top of over 50 Emmy nominations...
. Other popular programs, like New York Noise
New York Noise
New York Noise is a one-hour indie-rock music video television program which aired from 2003–2009 on NYCTV in New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. It was created, produced, and edited by Shirley Braha and funded by New York City under the Bloomberg administration...
and The Bridge focus on the city's music scene. New York Noise has a loyal following among musicians. Tommy Ramone
Tommy Ramone
Tommy Ramone, also known as Thomas Erdelyi , is a Hungarian American record producer and musician...
was the host of an episode and the show has featured such bands as Fischerspooner, Animal Collective, Cat Power and the National. Well known Indie and electronica stars such as Moby are known to pop in for surprise appearances and performances. Artists like Beirut and groups such as Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend is an American indie rock band from New York City that formed in 2006 and signed to XL Recordings. The Band has four members: Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, and Chris Baio. The band released its first album Vampire Weekend in 2008, which produced the singles "Mansard...
and the Plain White T's openly credit their big break to the show and its producer, Shirley Braha
Shirley Braha
Shirley Braha is an American TV producer. She created the music television show New York Noise, which ran on NYC TV from 2003-2010.-Early life:...
. The show is filmed around the city, from longtime clubs like Irving Plaza to the accordion shop Main Squeeze.
Below is a list of some of the original series on NYCTV:
- $9.99: a guide to free and cheap attractions.
- Blueprint NYC: tours of New York's iconic locations (the Brooklyn BridgeBrooklyn BridgeThe Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
, City Hall, Central ParkCentral ParkCentral Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
). - Backdrop NYC: focuses on short films shot in 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 CodeCool In Your CodeCool In Your Code is a television show on nyctv, New York City's Public-access television channel, as well as on sister station WNYE-TV. The show profiles various ZIP codes in New York City with the tagline "It's the city, unzipped." The show has won three regional Emmys.Shortly afterward, a...
: suggestions on places for people to meet and things to do in the city's 200-plus ZIP codes. - Eat Out NYEat Out NYEat Out NY is a local television series that explores New York City's restaurants. The program runs in the New York City area on NYC TV and on WNBC...
: 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 YorkSecrets of New YorkSecrets of New York is the all-time most recognized television program in the history of the New York Tri-State television market, having won 16 Emmy Awards since 2006 on top of over 50 Emmy nominations...
: the host explores the city's sewers, subway tunnels, and history, teaching viewers about infrastructure and neighborhood history. - The BridgeThe Bridge (TV show)The Bridge is a TV show chronicling the history of hip hop in New York City. The show airs weekly on NYC TV in the New York City area. The show got its start in 2005 when NYC TV acquired broadcast station WNYE....
: chronicles hip-hop's early days (hip-hop began in New York City). Each episode features vintage video of the New York scene.
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." Although Brewer's rhetoric has subsided since former General Manager Arick Wierson huddled with Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler and agreed to produce a new news program entitled "City Scoop," Brewer still contends that NYC TV has strayed from its original mission in search of audience share and advertising dollars. On August 4, 2009, the Village Voice published a cover article criticizing the network's founder, Arick Wierson, for his many outside business interests, and his close relationship to the Mayor and other wealthy businessmen.See also
- NYC Media
- Media of New York CityMedia of New York CityThe media of New York City are internationally influential, and include some of the most important newspapers, largest publishing houses, most prolific television studios, and biggest record companies in the world...
- Arick WiersonArick WiersonArick Wierson is an American-born media executive and entrepreneur. His has business interests that span television and film production, political consultancy, and a variety of business interests in the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Africa...
- Seth UngerSeth UngerSeth Unger is a co-founder of NYC TV, the network he and Arick Wierson launched in 2003 while working for Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Among Unger's most notable accomplishments at the network is the creation of "Blueprint | NYC", a documentary series that highlights local architectural and historical...
- Katherine OliverKatherine OliverKatherine Oliver, is an American media and entertainment executive based in New York City. She was appointed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as the Commissioner of The New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting on August 1, 2002. In 2009 she added NYC media Group - the...
- Harry HunkeleHarry HunkeleHarry Hunkele is an American Film and Television Director, Producer and Editor. He is a ten-time Emmy Award winning television director and producer and is the director of the feature documentary "Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace" . -Biography:Hunkele was born in rural Vermont, and came to...
- Kelly ChoiKelly ChoiKelly Choi is the former host of Bravo TV's Top Chef spin-off, Top Chef Masters, which premiered on June 10, 2009...
- Secrets of New YorkSecrets of New YorkSecrets of New York is the all-time most recognized television program in the history of the New York Tri-State television market, having won 16 Emmy Awards since 2006 on top of over 50 Emmy nominations...
- WNYE-TVWNYE-TVWNYE-TV, channel 25 is an non-commercial educational, independent television station located in New York City, USA. WNYE-TV is part of the NYC Media Group and has its studios located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and transmitter at the Conde Nast Building....
- WNYE-FM