"We are living in a visual society. If we want to be at the cutting edge, we've got to use new technologies and NLC TV is exactly that," said Donald J. Borut, NLC's executive director. "What we're doing here is making it possible to provide information that is Web-based, that is digital, and that can be used by local elected officials and their citizens, to be able to communicate what is happening in our cities."
The first monthly newscast features NLC's response to the recent FBI report showing growing violence in smaller cities, the latest news from the California Cities Gang Prevention Network, current efforts to address the problem of foreclosures, and recent court actions on telecom. It also includes information on NLC's upcoming Congress of Cities conference in New Orleans in November which is expected to draw more than 5,000 local elected officials and the industry and community leaders who work with them.
NLC TV will not only broadcast NLC events, but aims to be the "go-to" spot for elected officials seeking innovative programs and the latest video content on hot topics in their communities. NLC TV video will also be available in digital broadcast quality for use by television news outlets and local cable channels.
"This is information about cities; it is information for cities; and it is a way of getting information out so it is relevant, targeted and timely. That's exactly what NLC TV is about," Borut said.
"We are excited about our continued partnership with the National League of Cities and the programming content we're creating together as we launch NLC TV," commented Dave Gardy, chairman and CEO of TVWorldwide.com. "We applaud NLC for deploying the latest in streaming media and webcasting technology to foster interactive communication across the country through NLC TV. Based on the positive audience response we've received from NLC Internet TV program participants, sponsors and stakeholders during the pilot period, we see growing traffic trends and we are preparing our servers to accommodate robust interactive participation nationally, as we formally launch NLC TV."
