On Campus News

The University's DuMont Television Center will be new home to NJTV's week-nightly news program NJ Today

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, and Montclair State University announced a partnership that gives a new Garden State home to the broadcast network's NJ Today news program.

NJTV will begin broadcasting its nightly news program, NJ Today, from the University's DuMont Television Center before the calendar year's end. In addition, the University will serve as the headquarters for the network's news division, including broadcast studio space as well as production facilities and office space.

"Upon NJTV's launch in July, we immediately set out to find a great New Jersey-based production home base for the network," said Neal Shapiro, President and CEO of WNET/Chairman of Public Media New Jersey. "We sought a facility that had the technical capabilities to handle a daily news broadcast while being a place rich in creative resources. Knowing that public television will be integrated into an academic environment like Montclair State University simply feels right."

"The University is pleased to provide a New Jersey-based home for NJTV's news operation, helping to ensure that New Jersey continues to have an independent broadcast voice," said Susan A. Cole, President of Montclair State University. "This relationship provides tremendous value to our academic programs in broadcasting, media and communications, providing students with hands-on learning within a professional setting. The partnership with NJTV is intended to build a substantial and mutually beneficial long-term collaboration that will enhance New Jersey's media landscape."

"A major part of public television's mission is education and community outreach. What better way to prepare the next generation of broadcasters and producers than with a hands-on role in NJ Today's production?" said NJTV General Manager John Servidio. "It's a symbiotic relationship from which both the students and our program will grow."

NJTV has already begun to recruit student interns to begin working on various aspects of NJ Today's production next semester, from lighting and camera operation to make-up and stage management. The University recently completed a major technology upgrade in its DuMont Television Center which will enable the growing NJ Today team and students to work with state-of-the-art, high-definition production equipment.

In addition, a new set has been designed expressly for NJ Today by scenic designer Ronald Baldwin, who has designed sets for national networks including CNN, CNBC, PBS and the Food Network, among others. This highly technical production studio along with NJ Today's growing news team will serve as the basis for building a vibrant public media future for New Jersey.

Resources:

http://www.njtvonline.org/
http://www.montclair.edu/