Bio

Spectrum News NY1 is Charter Cable's 24-hour news and information channel, covering all five of New York's boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. In addition, the network covers the state capital Albany in any political news that directly relates to New York City. The network launched on September 8, 1992 with the goal of providing superior news reporting from reporters who write, produce and shoot their own news stories. The network assigns reporters using the beat system similar to that found at newspapers. The beats are either geographical or topical. The geographic beats include each of the five boroughs, while the topical beats include health, technology, mass transit, law enforcement, entertainment, neighborhoods, education, and business. All reporters have spent time in New York and are very familiar with its atmosphere. The network operates on the standard news wheel throughout the day. At night, the format shifts to more topical discussion-oriented programming. PR professionals are advised to send press releases to the network's assignment desk or to the producer of the appropriate Spectrum News NY1 program. Because they write, produce and shoot their own stories, many of the network's reporters are interested in receiving story ideas as well. All information sent should be of interest to New York viewers. The best time to fax press releases to the assignment desk is between 7am and 3pm, ET. Keep all pitches brief but specific, and include appropriate contact information. Pitches are generally not taken over the phone, but a heads-up phone call is acceptable.