Making good on last year's promise to get the state out of the TV business, Gov. Chris Christie Monday unveiled a five-year agreement with WNET Channel 13 to operate the state's TV network. Christie also announced the state will sell the network's radio licenses to WHYY in Philadelphia and New York Public Radio in New York (see original posting) for almost $5 million in cash and in-kind contributions.
Lawmakers, some of whom have opposed the deal, responded by saying they will hold hearings. Unless the Legislature vetoes the contracts, the agreements will go into effect July 1.
The deal means the end of NJN, the state-owned-and-operated broadcaster that has been on the air for 43 years. The network' 130 employees will be laid off and the facility in Trenton will be shut down. NJN interrupted “Barney and Friends” yesterday to broadcast the announcement live.
WNET’s subsidiary, Public Media NJ, is obligated to air a nightly news show and 20 more hours of New Jersey-focused programming a week, Christie said. The contract also mandates the network cover election night and major events at the Statehouse, such as the annual State of the State and budget addresses.
Christie said the agreement with WNET will result in better programming and more New Jersey-centric programming at less cost to the taxpayer.
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