BronxNet kicked off its new youth channel on Monday, June 15, with a launch party and television special. The new channel will feature content for, by, and about young people in and around the Bronx.
BronxNet executive director, Michael Max Knobbe, was joined by young talent from World Youth Empowerment Project, Lehman High School, Kennedy High School, as well as one of BronxNet’s own interns, to co-host the launch special. The special, which was taped in front of a live audience, featured acts by youths from around the Bronx community, including a debate between teams from I.S. 216 and Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice, as well as a performance from Mindbuilder’s Positive Youth Troupe.
Also present to show their support, were students, residents, and representatives for local leaders from the Bronx. Deputy Borough President, Aurelia Greene, was in attendance to help launch the new channel.
“BronxNet is inviting young people to participate in a 21st century, multi-platform, 24/7 channel by, for, and about young people, on television and on the web, and we are also developing with educators, parents, organizational and community leaders, other opportunities for media training and access all over the Bronx and New York City,” says Knobbe.
Content for the new channel will be produced primarily by youths of the Bronx community. BronxNet offers television production training programs to Bronx residents and organizations as well as production internships. BronxNet interns and local high school students are currently creating programs to air on the youth channel, available on Verizon Fios Channel 37, and coming soon to the Cablevision system.
Young people are being asked to help create the channel’s image. Student, Roger Garcia, suggested the channel be called Digital Hub, and student, Melina Collado, suggested ONBx Television. An ongoing contest for a creative new name and logo is taking place now, and a winner will be selected in October.
The winner whose name is selected for the channel identity can win a digital video camera to produce content for the new channel and beyond.
All suggestions are welcome, and can be submitted to youth@bronxnet.org.
