About WLIW21
Local Resource
Since the first broadcast in 1969, WLIW21, a WNET.ORG station, has effectively harnessed the power of television to go beyond mere entertainment to foster intelligence, encourage curiosity, and breed cultural understanding among the more than 8 million residents of the New York metropolitan area.
As the third most-watched public television station in the nation, WLIW21 reaches nearly 1.5 million households each week throughout New York City’s five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The majority of WLIW21’s primetime audience lives in New York City and approximately 21% live on Long Island.
WLIW21’s programming and outreach services reflect the core values that drive public television: life-long learning, in-depth exploration, quality entertainment, and community engagement.
Local productions cover political and social issues, including the weekly series CROSSON AND WELLES, mental health series HEALTHY MINDS, and periodic “town hall meeting” broadcasts like LEARNING CURVE and LEAVING LONG ISLAND. WLIW21 also produced the local historical documentaries NEW YORK WAR STORIES and THE JEWS OF NEW YORK as well as the NEW YORK THE WAY IT WAS series. WLIW21’s local programming has been recognized with numerous accolades from the Fair Media Council, the New York State Broadcasters Association, the Telly Awards and the Press Club of Long Island’s Media Awards.
Educational Services programming further enhances the use of television as an instructional tool in the classroom with children’s programs, Regents Review, college telecourses, and adult literacy programs.
WLIW21’s EdVideo Online video streaming and downloading service gives teachers access to an additional 2,000 ITV titles online plus interactives, lessons, and workshops at wliw.org/itv.
In March, WLIW21 co-hosts the “Teaching & Learning Celebration” with THIRTEEN in New York City. Introduced in 2006, this two-day premier professional development conference provides more than 8,000 educators with access to established leaders in education, technology, and research in 100+ workshops, panels, presentations, and 150+ exhibits on the latest in dynamic resources for the K-12 classroom.
Local Events
As a major contributor to the arts and cultural life of New York City and beyond, WLIW21 actively partners with the world’s greatest artists and beloved public television celebrities to create unforgettable and inspiring events both on-air and in the community.
Events range from cooking demonstrations/wine tastings like “Viva Italia! in Little Italy” and “Celebrate Argentina,” dinners with Lidia Bastianich, seminars like “The 12 Most Important Steps of Your Life: Creating Brain Healthy Lives,” and workshops like “Stay Rich for Life with Ed Slott,” to concert performances with Celtic Thunder and Yanni, screenings, and receptions. To see upcoming events, visit wliw.org/events.
In 2008, WLIW21 and sister station THIRTEEN made history when the legendary rock trio, The Police, announced that the proceeds for their much anticipated final concert ever at Madison Square Garden would benefit New York Public Television. Tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime event were only available through a pledge to the station(s). The concert became the largest single fundraising event in the history of public television and kicked-off the Public Television Rocks! programming initiative for WLIW21.
National Provider
Through the production, acquisition, and distribution of programs, WLIW New York remains one of the most prolific providers of fundraising programming for public television.
WLIW New York’s award-winning, nationally recognized productions and presentations include the aerial VISIONS series; concert performances from Tony Bennett, Il Divo, Celtic Thunder, Sarah Brightman, Carly Simon, Bowfire, mariachi music hosted by Plácido Domingo, and the world renowned Polish dance troupe Mazowsze; and cultural documentaries (THE ITALIAN AMERICANS, THE CHINESE AMERICANS and THE PUERTO RICANS: OUR AMERICAN STORY are among more than a dozen titles).
These productions, along with BILLY JOEL: THE STRANGER LIVE; ED SLOTT’S STAY RICH FOR LIFE, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: LIVE FROM BARCELONA; MITZI GAYNOR: RAZZLE DAZZLE! THE SPECIAL YEARS; and PINK FLOYD DARK SIDE OF THE MOON – PULSE LIVE among the more than 100 acquired specials distributed by WLIW New York have generated millions of dollars in support for the 350+ public television stations nationwide.
WLIW New York’s groundbreaking independent distribution model brings U.S. audiences the new, daily international newscast, WORLDFOCUS, as well as weekly series WILD CHRONICLES and CONSUELO MACK WEALTHTRACK, and the children’s series MIFFY AND FRIENDS. WLIW New York also distributes lifestyle series MOMENT OF LUXURY and REAL MOMS, REAL STORIES, REAL SAVVY, and the musical travel series, CLASSICAL DESTINATIONS.
For more information on WLIW21’s productions and presentations, visit wliw.org/all-programs.
To inquire about producing for WLIW21, visit wliw.org/about/producing-for-wliw/.
