New Jersey’s Public Television Network Launches NJTV In Your Neighborhood Initiative in Camden

On Mar 27, 2017

NJTV, New Jersey’s public television network, launched a state-wide broadcast and community engagement initiative that spotlights issues impacting communities throughout New Jersey. Its goal is to provide the entire state with an in-depth look at each city through the many perspectives of those who live, work and visit there. NJTV will explore topics of education, infrastructure, politics, commerce, health, arts, culture and more in each location.

“What we are creating is an initiative that spans multiple platforms and ensures that NJTV’s broadcast, community engagement and digital components are responsive to the people of the cities, allowing them to shape the stories told on television, discussed at events, and posted online,” said NJTV General Manager John Servidio. “We will address community needs, build audience engagement, deepen viewer involvement, establish new collaborations and create informed programming that will further position NJTV as a trusted resource for the state.”

NJTV premiered the first of four “neighborhood” visits slated for this year on March 23 in Camden, New Jersey. The entire primetime programming line-up for the evening of was dedicated to this city, kicking off with an early edition of the network’s weeknight newscast NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams followed by a live hour-long program at 6pm, NJTV In Your Neighborhood Special — both broadcast live from Camden’s Adventure Aquarium before a live audience.

Those interviewed as part of the Camden special were Mayor Dana Redd; CEO of Coopers Ferry Partnership Anthony Perno; Camden School Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard; Rutgers University (Camden) Chancellor Phoebe Haddon; 2017 Camden–Martin Luther King recipient Patty DiRenzo; NJ Health Initiatives – School Nurse Program Sheila Colalillo and State Senate President Steve Sweeney.

Segments featured the Camden Greenway, Adventure Aquarium, the Camden Waterfront, RCA Camden Record Label, the USS New Jersey, Campbell’s Soup and Arts in Camden and the city’s history.

To keep the conversation about the city going, a follow-up community event is being planned by NJTV on April 27th at the Rowan University Camden Academic Building.  Here, the network’s engagement team will commune groups of residents, thought leaders and stakeholders to discuss issues affecting Camden.

“Ultimately, we hope the information we collect and the insight we provide our audience into each ‘neighborhood’ makes us all better-informed citizens and better neighbors,” said Servidio. “And like a good neighbor, we are committed to the cities we visit and will assure NJTV’s presence there extends far beyond the live broadcast date.”

Support for NJTV‘s In Your Neighborhood: Camden initiative is provided in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Wells Fargo, with additional support from the Campbell Soup Company.

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