NYC Media, the Broadcast Network for the City of NY, and Next Millennium Productions Announce New Television Show in Development: The NYC Field Guide: How to Thrive in the Five

Set to Air in 2024, Show to Offer New Yorkers Advice, Tips and Humor for Thriving in NYC

Social Media Campaign Asks New Yorkers to Share Favorite NYC Hacks Using #NYCFieldGuide

More Information, Including Show Promo, Available Here

NEW YORK, January, 11, 2024 – NYC Media, the official broadcast network and production group for the City of New York and part of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), and Next Millennium Productions (NMP) are proud to announce development of a new television series The NYC Field Guide: How to Thrive in the Five, hosted by Emmy-award winner Micaela Birmingham. The 13-episode series will feature 30-minute episodes offering unique tips, hacks and expert information from celebrities, New Yorkers and NYC officials for how to live, work and play in the five boroughs of New York City. The NYC Field Guide: How to Thrive in the Five will air in 2024 on NYC Life (WNYE-TV), the City’s Emmy Award-winning lifestyle channel that has been providing residents with entertaining, non-commercial, educational programming for the past 56 years on the NYC Media television network.

“This new show is the perfect example of the kind of content NYC Media creates and airs round-the-clock to keep New Yorkers entertained and educated about their city,” said Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Pat Swinney Kaufman. “We look forward to highlighting the work of other city agencies through this series, and what better place to showcase this information than the city’s lifestyle channel, NYC Life.”

“NYC Media has been developing this series for some time and finally the stars have aligned to bring it to life on NYC Life, the flagship channel of NYC Media," said Karen Johnson, General Manager of NYC Media and the show’s Executive Producer. “Part how-to and part celebration of New York savvy, the Field Guide is a unique blend of information and entertainment that will empower New Yorkers with real-life tips and hacks from those in the know.”

The NYC Field Guide: How to Thrive in the Five is created by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and produced in collaboration with minority and woman owned production company Next Millennium Productions (NMP) based in lower Manhattan. The Emmy -nominated company has been a MOME production partner for over a decade.

“We are thrilled to be producing this show with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. We built our family-owned production company right here in the city where I was born and raised. Now we have the opportunity to draw from our own experiences to bring practical information, in a bite-sized way, to our fellow New Yorkers and visitors,” said Elsa Lai, owner of NMP.

Show host and writer Micaela Birmingham holds a master’s degree in urban planning and won an Emmy award for a public service announcement she wrote and produced, aimed at engaging the public in the rebuilding of lower Manhattan after 9/11.

“Thriving in a city of nearly 9 million people takes determination, practice and a New York state of mind. What better way to showcase the limitless spirit of the city than a show about how to hack it like a pro,” said Birmingham.

The series is produced by Alison Bucalo, whose background includes working with NBC Universal, Some Spider Studios and Bustle Digital Media Group, where she and Birmingham were responsible for several award-winning productions. The series is directed by Brook Jones, whose credits include series for Animal Planet and Scripps networks which have garnered Webby, Aegis and Telly Awards. Roland Le Breton, NYC Media’s Creative Director, will be overseeing content and art direction.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Dining Out - Comedian Roy Wood Junior shares his go-to late-night restaurant picks and a passionate plea for not overstuffing your bodega bagel. Celebrity Chef David Burke gives tips on tipping well or not at all. Corrine Schiff, Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene gives the low-down on restaurant inspection letter grades from A to C!
• How New Yorkers Can Safely Enjoy the Water - Department First Deputy Commissioner of Operations Iris Rodriguez gives an overview of the lifeguard staffing and recruitment process in NYC, and provides water safety tips. Department of City Planning Director of Climate and Sustainability Planning Michael Marrella gives an overview of the city’s efforts to help waterfront neighborhoods thrive. Students of the NYC Harbor School and staff of the Bronx River Alliance share how they are revitalizing the harbor and the Bronx River.
• Growing Older in New York - Older adults in Staten Island share relationship advice on staying married for 60+ years and what they wished younger generations knew. An Older Adult Center in Washington Heights hosts a vibrant salsa class that keeps 80 somethings light on their feet and with a light in their eyes. Department of the Aging Associate Commissioner Anya Herasme shares an overview of citywide offerings to help older New Yorkers continue to thrive.
• Riding the Subway - NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper gives the lowdown on subway safety and shares tips for staying safe on the train. Learn the hack for standing on the platform in the exact spot where the conductor car will pull in. This episode shares a humorous PSA about how to “stop the spread” of passengers taking up too much real estate on the subway aka “manspreaders”.
• Walking in New York - We test the theory that New Yorkers walk faster than people from other cities with a “walk-off” between a native New Yorker and a visitor from London. Department of Transportation’s Deputy Commissioner for Transportation Planning and Management, Eric Beaton shares what the city is doing to make streets and sidewalks safer for pedestrians.
• Going to School - Department of Education Director of Strategic Partnerships, Sammi Oerlemans decodes the school application process from pre-K to high school. We visit PS 186 in the Bronx and hear how students would revamp snack time if they were principal for the day. This episode includes a humorous PSA reminder not to panic over the school application process and features a virtual call between parents debating the benefits of enrichment classes for infants.

NYC Media and NMP is also proud to launch a social media campaign to support the development of the NYC Field Guide series. From now until the show premiere in Spring 2024, viewers can share their favorite hack, tip or expert advice for how to thrive in the five boroughs of New York City (ultimate restaurant for a first date, hack for getting the best seat on the subway) and tips will be selected and shared by NYC Field Guide host Micaela Birmingham. Post photos, videos or stories and tag @micaelabirmingham #NYCFieldGuide.