Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Brenda Perez (212) 788 - 3256
"New York City is the broadcasting capital of the world," said Mayor Giuliani during his keynote speech. "Three of the top broadcast networks and 13 of the country's largest basic and pay cable services are headquartered right here in our City. This is a perfect opportunity to discuss ideas, innovations and pressing issues in the industry. Now more than ever this conference is much needed to address the priorities and concerns of the media.
"In New York City the broadcasting industry is experiencing tremendous development. Many of this season's most successful television shows, such as Spin City, The Cosby Show and The Rosie O'Donnell Show are choosing to shoot in New York. Television shooting days have increased by an amazing 79% since1993. We have reached a third year record in television production, with direct expenditures from 1996 amounting to more than $1 billion. Indeed, the new media industry totalled 27,000 jobs in the City and that number is likely to double by next year. With all this activity the sustained growth and development in the industry has never looked brighter," concluded the Mayor.
This year's conference, entitled A Read on the Present & Future, will explore the latest in business, programming and technology in the broadcasting industry. Featured as panel members were Network Entertainment Division Presidents Jamie Tarses from ABC; Warren Littlefield from NBC; Les Moonves from CBS; and Peter Roth from Fox 5.
The IRTS Foundation was formed in 1939 as the Radio Executives' Club Of New York and merged with the American Television Society in 1952 . Government, world, business and broadcasting industry leaders who have spoken before the Society include Samuel Goldwyn, Edward R. Murrow, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, Jawaharlal Nehru, Herbert Hoover, Lucille Ball, Nelson Rockefeller, Richard Nixon, Dinah Shore and several FCC chairmen.