News 12 The Bronx Celebrates 10 Years Of Local News Coverage

Bronx, NY (PRWEB) June 30, 2008 -- News 12 the Bronx is celebrating 10 years as the first 24-hour local news channel completely dedicated to covering news of the Bronx. The cable-exclusive channel began bringing local news to the borough of the Bronx in 1998. Ten years later, News 12 continues to serve the Bronx community with its 24-hour news channel, and has expanded to multiple distribution platforms including an on-demand channel (News 12 Interactive, channel 612 on iO TV), a cell phone service (News 12 to Go), and on the world-wide-web (www.news12.com). All services are provided at no additional cost to Cablevision subscribers.

"It was a very easy decision to start up a News 12 franchise in the Bronx", said Patrick Dolan, President of News 12 Networks. "It was clear that Bronx residents were interested in news coverage that reflected the borough they were so proud to call their own. Most news coverage in the area up to that point was focused on crime stories. When News 12 the Bronx launched and showed the real people of the Bronx on television - from the teachers to the firemen to the community leaders and more - we were embraced. We're proud of our involvement in this incredible area."

"The Bronx is an interesting place to live and work. It's diverse. It's dynamic. It has a wonderful sense of community," said Leesa Dillon, News Director of News 12 the Bronx. "News 12's commitment is to provide fair and unbiased coverage of the news that the residents of the Bronx need and want to know. It's been so for the last 10 years and will continue to be so into the future "

News 12 the Bronx has resonated with viewers since the beginning, as evident by Nielsen Media Research results. In a phone survey that is conducted bi-annually, News 12 the Bronx has been the viewer's first choice for local news and the place they turn to first when a major local event occurs for all 10 years. During the past decade, News 12 the Bronx has broken new ground with innovative local programming features such as "Ask the Borough President," where viewers can call-in or email questions to Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion. The show, which debuted in 2002, and continues to air monthly, allows residents and politicians to participate in a dialogue that they wouldn't otherwise have. Additionally, News 12 the Bronx gets into the heart of the community with its "On the Road" franchise, which consists of live news programming originating from an area locale, rather than the News 12 the Bronx studio. Such locations have included: Morris Park, Little Italy, Hunt's Point, and on the scene at the Feast of St. Theresa's in Pelham Bay.

News 12 the Bronx has also partnered with local organizations making a difference in the community. For three years it produced and aired a live forum called "DIVA Talk" which addressed the issue of domestic violence in the borough.

News 12 the Bronx was one of the first "green-minded" television stations in the country. In 2004, News 12 the Bronx replaced all of its news crew cars with the then barely-known Toyota Priuses. It was the first television station to go all-hybrid with its fleet of vehicles. The decision was made primarily because of specific environmental concerns regarding the borough. The Bronx is greatly affected by air pollution, and a study at that time conducted by the New York City Health Department indicated that the Bronx has among the highest percentile of asthma rates in the country.

News 12 the Bronx continues to provide Bronx residents the information they need every day to help them stay connected with their communities, plan their days, and keep updated with relevant Bronx happenings. This is done through award-winning reporting, local weather and traffic coverage, local sports information, community event postings, local political coverage, and everything about the people, places, and things that make the Bronx the Bronx.

Many local organizations have recognized News 12 the Bronx as a quality organization that is contributing to the community. Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer proclaimed June 22, 1999 "News 12 the Bronx Day" for serving the Bronx Community. Additionally, Adolfo Carrion has given News 12 three proclamations for its anniversary dates and for the "Ask the Borough President" program. News 12 the Bronx has also received industry honors including, a New York Emmy Award, a National Headliner Award, a New York Associated Press honor, a New York Festival award, and a New York Press Club award.

News 12 the Bronx is part of News 12 Networks, a cable exclusive service not available to satellite or phone company TV subscribers. The Network is made up of 7 individual local news channels serving the areas of Long Island, New Jersey, Southwestern Connecticut, Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, Brooklyn, as well as the Bronx. News 12 Networks currently reaches nearly 3.8 million households in the New York market and is the country's first, largest, and most watched 24-hour local television news network.

News 12 Networks is owned and operated by Cablevision Systems Corporation. Cablevision is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its fiber optic network passes more than 4.6 million homes and hundred of thousands of businesses in the New York metropolitan area. In addition to providing cable television, voice and high-speed Internet service, Cablevision owns and operates Madison Square Garden and its sports teams including the Knicks and Rangers. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas in the New York metropolitan area.

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