Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the launch of NYC TV – the official television network of the City of New York.  NYC TV is taking over operations from Crosswalks Television, which served the City for eleven years.  The revamped network has undergone a major facelift and shift in programming.  NYC TV now features new original programming that highlights what makes New York City the “World’s Second Home” as well as improved governmental coverage that includes live Mayoral press conferences from City Hall.  NYC TV is comprised of five channels, and is available in 1.8 million households in New York City, reaching all cable subscribers in the five boroughs.  NYC TV is a division of the City’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT).

 NYC TV’s flagship channel is NYC TV 74, where government affairs and original programming will air.  NYC TV is also comprised of NYC TV 71, which broadcasts Off Track Betting (OTB) programming; NYC TV 73, which features leased time and OTB programming; CUNY TV 75, which broadcasts CUNY programming; and NYC TV 93, which broadcasts NYC TV’s Digital Magazine – an electronic bulletin board that gives New Yorkers the latest information on local events, government information, community news, and health information (note: on Cablevision systems, the Digital Magazine can be seen on Channel 72).  To view the full broadcast schedule for NYC TV, please visit www.nyc.gov/tv.

“NYC TV is a cornerstone of my administration’s efforts to provide the public with up to the minute information and an up-close look at their government as it makes decisions that affect their lives,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “NYC TV’s contribution to the City doesn’t stop there; the network also provides the City with revenue through leased time programming and sponsorships.  And with their new original programming and expanded lineup, NYC TV is a fun and educational resource for all New Yorkers.”

“NYC TV is dedicated to New York City, its people and personalities, its history and traditions, its neighborhoods and communities, and it rich arts and culture,” said Gino Menchini, Commissioner of DoITT.  “With the 311 Citizen Service Center, NYC.gov and now NYC TV, we are making government more accessible to every New Yorker.”

In addition to its coverage of events at City Hall, NYC TV’s original programming includes:

• City Drive Live – providing a first look at New York City’s roadways before you leave home in the morning or leave the office in the afternoon.  City Drive Live airs 5am to 9am every weekday morning and again in the afternoon, from 3:30pm to 7pm.
  

• $9.99 – highlighting inexpensive and free things to do throughout the five boroughs. Each show reveals eight to ten urban adventures with a total cost of $9.99.  $9.99 airs Tuesdays at 9pm.
  

• City Classics – featuring vintage documentaries, press conferences, and other timeless pieces from the City’s Municipal Archives such as Alfred Hitchcock’s visit with Mayor John V. Lindsay or Muhammad Ali’s sparring on the steps of City Hall.  City Classics airs Fridays at 10pm.
  

• Executive Breakfast – showcasing talks given by government officials and business leaders in New York City.  The series includes seminars taped at the Crain’s Business Breakfasts, the Association for a Better New York, The New York Law Forum, and a variety of other early morning business forums.  Executive Breakfast airs Mondays at 7pm.
  

• Tribeca Film Festival Presents – exploring the nine-day film festival that has played a major role in the revival of Lower Manhattan.  This series features in depth discussions with actors such as Helen Hunt, Nathan Lane, Holly Hunter, and Edie Falco.  Tribeca Film Festival Presents airs Wednesdays at 10pm.
  

• Cultural Corners – showcasing the arts and entertainment that the City of New York supports and hosts in its public spaces.  This hour-long program features events around NYC and brings viewers behind the scenes to see how City government helps facilitate them.  Cultural Corners airs Tuesdays at 10:30pm.
  

• New York: Paradetown, U.S.A – featuring the fun and exciting parades in New York City that celebrate our diverse cultures and ethnicities.  New York: Paradetown, U.S.A. airs Sundays at 10am.

NYC TV is an important source of revenue for the City of New York.  In addition to leasing time to international programmers, which generates more than $500,000 a year, NYC TV operates OTB’s live racing feeds.  In the current fiscal year, people watching OTB on NYC TV wagered approximately $200 million from home.  In FY 02, OTB generated over $24 million in revenue for the City, of which a key portion was derived from people watching OTB programming on NYC TV.  In the coming year, NYC TV will be working closely with the City’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Joseph Perello, to create additional revenue streams for the City.

“NYC TV is a valuable City asset that is only now beginning to realize its programming and revenue potential.  Through the efforts of NYC TV’s Arick Wierson and Seth Unger, the network will become an important part of the Citywide corporate marketing platform,” said CMO Perello. “Similar to public broadcasting models, we anticipate that corporate partners will find NYC TV to become a unique and compelling way to communicate with New York City.”

NYC TV also produces RADIO NYC, the on-hold programming heard on the City’s phone lines. The City estimates that with over 200,000 phone lines there are approximately 1 million minutes of hold time generated each week on City agency phone lines during the normal course of business.  RADIO NYC is currently available on 15,000 of those phones in a number of the City’s offices including City Hall.  RADIO NYC is a compilation of timely PSA’s read by City officials and celebrities, scored to music of mixed genres.

The NYC TV staff was recently honored with two EMMYs at the 2003 New York EMMY Awards: Best 9/11 Related Event Coverage for Ground Zero: A Ceremony Without Words, and Best Graphic Design for NYC TV designer Roland Le Breton.