THIRTEEN's SundayArts Makes Primetime Debut 11/5

THIRTEEN'S unique broadcast and online showcase for the arts, SundayArts will make its primetime debut on November 5, 2009 at 8 p.m. EST. Like a television version of The New York Times' Arts & Leisure pages, the half-hour arts showcase provides the tri-state viewing audience with a unique overview of New York City's unparalleled cultural offerings, encompassing not only the performing arts but the visual arts as well. Co-hosted by Philippe de Montebello -President Emeritus of New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art - and award-winning television journalist (and accomplished cellist) Paula Zahn, each presentation of the SundayArts Primetime Special includes news, profiles and magazine-style segments covering New York City's vast array of museums, artists, gallery exhibitions and live performances, all in tandem with an extensive web site.

Launched on March 23, 2008, the weekly SundayArts showcase embodies THIRTEEN'S restructured approach to arts and culture programming, meeting the needs and expectations of the digital generation. Broadcast Sundays at noon on THIRTEEN in HD, the full three-hour program (including a feature presentation) encores each Sunday at 3 p.m. on WLIW21. Starting November 5, the half-hour SundayArts Primetime Special will broadcast highlight segments of the series' New York City arts news coverage on select Thursdays at 8 p.m.

Each primetime telecast will contain "SundayArts News," with correspondent Christina Ha, and "SundayArts Choice," a first-hand, insider look at current art exhibitions with curatorial experts who share their enthusiasm, expertise and personal favorites with the viewers. In addition, each broadcast includes profiles of both established and emerging artists in all fields, as well as conversations with prominent arts leaders. The programs encompass a diverse mix of subject matter from many arts genres - music, dance, theater, film and the visual arts - contemporary and traditional. And beyond the broadcasts, the SundayArts web site is a perpetual hub for information and conversations about the arts world. Streaming video of broadcast programs, as well as original content, encourages viewers to explore the arts at their own pace and according to their own interests.

SundayArts Primetime Special is one in a series of new initiatives developed under the leadership of Neal Shapiro, President and CEO of WNET.ORG, the parent company of THIRTEEN. "This SundayArts Primetime Special is the first of many we'll be airing on THIRTEEN," says Shapiro. "Our coverage of the arts includes behind-the-scenes access to museums, Broadway productions, art auctions and much more. Our goal is to make the arts accessible to our audience and inspire viewers to take advantage of all that New York has to offer."

For over three decades, de Montebello has been a leader in the field at the helm of one of the world's greatest museums. After beginning his Metropolitan Museum career in 1963 in its Department of European Paintings, Mr. de Montebello rose steadily through the curatorial ranks. Except for four-and-a-half years as Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (1969-1974), he spent his entire career at the Met, returning in 1974 to assume the post of Vice Director for Curatorial and Educational Affairs, and then becoming the Museum's Director in 1977. He has not only served longer than any other director in the Metropolitan's history, but has for several years ranked as the longest-serving leader at any major museum in the world. Stepping down as director at the end of 2008, de Montebello nearly doubled the Museum's size during his tenure, vastly increasing its gallery space and maintaining not only a strong exhibition program but also building a widely acclaimed series of concerts and lectures.

Paula Zahn has been a celebrated presence in network news for 30 years, and is also an accomplished cellist who made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1992, first performing with the New York Pops orchestra and then many subsequent concerts as soloist. She most recently played with the New York-based International Sejong soloists. Zahn was anchor of CNN's weeknight primetime evening program Paula Zahn Now. Previously, Zahn anchored the network's morning news program, American Morning with Paula Zahn, which she helped launch in the fall of 2001. Before joining CNN, Zahn spent 10 years at CBS News, where she co-hosted CBS This Morning and anchored the CBS Evening News Saturday Edition. Zahn also worked for ABC News where she was the news anchor at Good Morning America.

New York public media organization WNET.ORG is an innovative provider of on-air and online programming and a range of educational, public affairs, and cultural initiatives. The parent of Thirteen, WLIW21 and Creative News Group, WNET.ORG brings such acclaimed broadcast series and websites as Worldfocus, Nature, Great Performances, Great Performances at the Met, American Masters, Charlie Rose, Wide Angle, Secrets of the Dead, Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, Visions, Consuelo Mack WealthTrack,Wild Chronicles, Miffy and Friends, and Cyberchase to national and international audiences. For more information, visit www.wnet.org.