WNET's MetroFocus to Launch New Daily Format, Starting 10/19

On Monday, October 19, 2015, WNET, the flagship PBS station based in New York, will launch a new daily format -- airing weeknights at 5 p.m. on WLIW21, 5:30 p.m. on NJTV and 6 p.m. on THIRTEEN -- for its award-winning news and public affairs series MetroFocus. Viewers can expect to see more stories that matter about the issues, people and events from across the metropolitan region, from New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut to Long Island, Westchester and Albany.

Hosted by Rafael Pi Roman, Jack Ford and Jenna Flanigan, the series will continue to bring viewers in-depth reporting, interviews, conversations and solutions-oriented stories on timely topics such as poverty, education, infrastructure, media, healthcare, and more, as well as a variety of featured segments. Matt Ryan will be contributing from Albany, and Mary Alice Williams will do the same from Newark.

Adding to the scope of its coverage, MetroFocus will also present stories from a wide range of content partners including The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine,City & State, The Atlantic and various public television stations across the country, among others.

To take MetroFocus beyond the television broadcast, the series companion website (metrofocus.org) and mobile app will explore the latest full episodes, stories, news updates and more.

"My hope is that MetroFocus becomes appointment viewing for the tri-state audience and becomes known as a 'go to' destination for programming that enlightens, informs, reflects, entertains, and impacts our entire community. MetroFocus is TV with a purpose and a take away," says Dave Brown, executive producer of MetroFocus.

"Since its launch, MetroFocus has delivered in-depth stories that go BEYOND THE HEADLINES and fill the gaps left by local commercial television news and many local websites. I'm thrilled that viewers can now enjoy MetroFocus's engaging and captivating content every day on THIRTEEN, WLIW21, and NJTV," says Neal Shapiro, President and CEO of WNET.

MetroFocus is a production of WLIW LLC in association with WNET. WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York's public television stations and operator of NJTV.

Dave Brown is executive producer. Christina Timothy is senior producer. Domenic Camia and Marisa Wong are producers. Diane Masciale is general manager of WLIW21 and executive producer of local production, including the MetroFocus series.

MetroFocus is made possible by James and Merryl Tisch, Judy and Josh Weston, Bernard and Irene Schwartz, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, the Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, Rosalind P. Walter, Jody and John Arnhold and the Metropolitan Media Fund. Corporate funding is provided by Mutual of America.

As New York's flagship public media provider and the parent company ofTHIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to more than 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore App where users can stream PBS content for free.

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