WNET Selected by New Jersey Governor to Provide Programming and Services to New Jersey Network

Recommendation to be reviewed and voted on by NJ state legislature within 15 days

TRENTON, N.J., June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a press conference today, Governor Chris Christie announced his recommendation that WNET, parent company of award-winning public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21, be selected to provide programming and services to New Jersey Network (NJN).

The Governor's office began looking for alternative operating models for the state's only public television network in light of increasing budget pressures. Upon approval by the legislature, WNET will provide programming and services under a five-year agreement. The broadcast license will continue to be maintained by the state.

"WNET is uniquely qualified to maintain and grow the network for New Jersey and its citizens," Christie said. "WNET brings a wealth of resources to the table, including an award-winning Education department that provides video and other materials to teachers; an innovative Interactive department with a solid technology infrastructure and other back-office functions that will help NJN thrive. I am confident that WNET will continue to provide the excellent local and national public television programming that New Jersey residents have relied on for more than 40 years."

"We are pleased with the Governor's confidence in our ability to add value to New Jersey's public television presence," said WNET President and CEO Neal Shapiro. "It has been a challenging few years for public television, and all media companies around the country. Consolidation has become the way to streamline operations while continuing to serve the community. WNET has used innovation, ingenuity and partnerships to withstand the current challenges and enhance our value to viewers. We are ready and willing to do the same for New Jersey public television."

The network, which will be re-named NJTV, will launch a summertime edition of a news program in July — NJ Today — at the same frequency (4 broadcasts per day) and same airtimes as NJN currently runs.  In the fall a new, more robust version of NJ Today will premiere, concentrating heavily on in-depth interviews similar to the PBS NewsHour.

NJTV will also air many of the great PBS programs that people love, in addition to never before seen programs like Charlie Rose, an expanded daily uninterrupted children's block of programs (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) scheduled to better suit kids' viewing patterns and co-productions from partners like the Caucus Educational Corporation and others.

WNET, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2012, produces such award-winning PBS programming as Great Performances, Nature and American Masters and reaches an audience of five million viewers per month through THIRTEEN and WLIW21.

WNET is not new to consolidation. In 2003, WLIW21, the Long Island public television station, merged with WNET and began broadcasting from WNET's master control. The two stations also collapsed many functions. While most staff is currently located in its Manhattan office, WNET is in the midst of rebuilding and updating WLIW's production facilities in Plainview, Long Island, giving WLIW a presence there once again.

NJTV will be programmed by a New Jersey-based non-profit entity (Public Media NJ) with a New Jersey-based Board of Trustees. The network will maintain offices in New Jersey that will house up to 15 or 20 employees focused on editorial, community outreach, production, fundraising and underwriting functions. The back office functions of NJTV, including finance, communications, and legal, will be based in Manhattan.

The New Jersey legislature is given 15 days from today to vote on Governor Christie's recommendation. If approved, WNET will begin providing programming and services to NJN effective July 1.

About WNET New York Public Media

WNET is a pioneering provider of television and web content.  The parent of THIRTEEN, WLIW21 and Creative News Group, WNET brings such acclaimed broadcast series and websites as Tavis Smiley, Need To Know, Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Charlie Rose, Secrets of the Dead, Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, Consuelo Mack WealthTrack,  Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps and Cyberchase to national and international audiences. Through its wide range of channels and platforms, WNET serves the entire New York City metro area with unique local productions, broadcasts and innovative educational and cultural projects. In all that it does, WNET pursues a single, overarching goal — to create media experiences of lasting significance for New York, America and the world. For more information, visit www.wnet.org.

SOURCE WNET