Rather than pay N.J. for the chance to run the TV network, the nonprofit group will get a $2M grant and keep $2M in tower rental fees from private companies
Clik here to view.
News Anchor Jim Hooker preps for the evening news broadcast at the New Jersey Network Studios in Trenton in April 2010.TRENTON — The new nonprofit group Channel 13 WNET incorporated to operate New Jersey’s public television network will not only pay nothing for the management rights, but will actually receive $4 million in fees and grants as part of the agreement.
Rather than pay the state for the opportunity to run the network, the new WNET subsidiary will receive a $2 million grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that was previously awarded to New Jersey Network. It will also get to keep about $2 million in tower rental fees that private companies pay to NJN, according to sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations who requested anonymity because of the confidentiality required of the bidding process.
A formal announcement of the agreement is expected this week.
WNET’s bid was selected over at least four others, including Montclair State University’s application, which sought no state funding and committed the school to raising $7.2 million from outside supporters.
The state will retain the licenses to the television network, and the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority will continue to oversee it.
Officials also are considering bids for the purchase or management of the state’s public radio network. That decision also is expected this week.
NJN, the state-owned-and-operated agency in place for 43 years, will be shut down when the new agreements take effect July 1.
Some people are not letting the old station close down quietly. The deal was being assailed from several quarters last week, and that was before the $4 million in grants and revenue was generally known.
U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a member of the committee that provides funds to the CPB, criticized the proposal and suggested that he may ask the Federal Communications Commission to look into it. The FCC regulates the radio, TV and satellite industries.
"We shouldn’t allow this New Jersey resource to be sold down — or in this case, across — the river. As far as I’m concerned, all options are on the table, including having the FCC review this arrangement," Lautenberg said.
"The New Jersey Network must remain truly in New Jersey, for New Jersey and about New Jersey."
Lautenberg also questioned the choice of WNET over Montclair State University, which boasts an HD-capable broadcasting studio used for its undergraduate degree program.
The senator spoke to university officials on Friday about their application, said Caley Gray, his spokesman. Gray said that in addition to providing funds, the university’s bid promised to maintain a nightly newscast and the network’s other public affairs programs, commitments absent from WNET’s proposal.
University officials did not return messages seeking comment.
The state will sign a five-year agreement with WNET, which will partner with Caucus Educational Corp. and broadcast its New Jersey-centric programming, sources have confirmed. CEC is led by Steve Adubato Jr., a veteran broadcaster who produces four regular series focused on New Jersey issues. CEC and WNET have co-produced programs for almost two decades. Adubato also writes a weekly freelance column for The Star-Ledger.
After the deal is struck, the Legislature has 15 days to act on it.
Viewers can expect to see some of the same national PBS programming currently broadcast by NJN on its various stations, as well as new local programming.
The nightly newscast, a hallmark of NJN, and its other existing shows probably will not continue.
The decision on the successor to NJN is the last step in a 15-month effort to spin off the public broadcasting network from government control. Gov. Chris Christie proposed the idea in March 2010, when he said the state could no longer afford to be in the TV business and keep NJN’s 130 employees on the state payroll.
In 2009, the state spent more than $11 million to run the network of radio and television stations.
The fate of NJN’s employees is unclear.
After a series of public hearings and months of closed-door dealings, Christie and the Legislature agreed on a bill that gave the state treasurer the right to negotiate the deal, which lawmakers have the right to refuse.
Last week, several members of the bipartisan task force that examined the issue last fall called for public hearings about the agreement.
A coalition of NJN supporters, including several key Trenton Democrats, will make their case at a public event Monday afternoon at the Statehouse.
For more arts coverage, follow Peggy McGlone at twitter.com/PeggyMcGlone.