Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Proclaims September 17-23, 2012 "THIRTEEN Week" on the Occasion of the Flagship PBS Station's 50th Anniversary

THIRTEEN Week begins a year-long celebration to mark the station's golden milestone including mini-concerts by The Knights, American Graduate Day and an encore presentation of Pioneers of THIRTEEN

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has issued a proclamation designating September 17-23, 2012 as "THIRTEEN Week" in commemoration of the September 16 start of the year-long celebration of THIRTEEN's 50^th anniversary. The proclamation delivered to WNET, the parent company of public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, recognized THIRTEEN for setting the gold standard for non-commercial television.  

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"Whereas: All this week viewers throughout the five boroughs and beyond will tune in to help this New York institution celebrate 50 years of excellence in broadcasting. This anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to recognize everyone on camera and off, who has made THIRTEEN stronger than ever, including the many generous members who help make the station's programming possible.  I applaud THIRTEEN for it unwavering commitment to servicing our city and together we look forward to another 50 years of exceptional television. …Now therefore I Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim September 17^th-23^rd in the city of New York as THIRTEEN Week."

During "THIRTEEN Week," there will be mini-concerts throughout the city by The Knights atop a double-decker bus.   While on air, the station will present  American Graduate Day, the kind of outreach program only found on public television and an encore showing of the first installment of  Pioneers of THIRTEEN, featuring memorable moments from the station's past, and exemplifying THIRTEEN's mission.

On Thursday, September 20^th The Knights, the popular young orchestra profiled on THIRTEEN last year, will be performing around the city from the top of a THIRTEEN double- decker bus. They'll stop and perform mini-concerts at various locations throughout the city (including Times Square, Columbia University and others). Check thirteen.org/50 for more details on the performance locations.

Presented by WNET and Public Radio Exchange (PRX), American Graduate Day is a multi-platform event featuring a live television broadcast, radio playlist with premiere documentaries, and participation from more than 20 national partner organizations, celebrities and athletes to spotlight solutions to the nation's dropout crisis in which one in four students do not finish high school.  Viewers and listeners will be encouraged to become an "American Graduate Champion" by offering their time, donating resources, connecting with the organizations on social media or learning more about the crisis. With special guests including Michael Powell, representing America's Promise Alliance, and PBS NewsHour senior correspondent Ray Suarez, the national television broadcast will air live on public television stations from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center on Saturday, September, 22 from 1-8 p.m. ET (check local listings).

Rounding out the "THIRTEEN Week" programming lineup is an encore broadcast of Pioneers of THIRTEEN, The '60s – Experimental Days, part one of a major four-part documentary chronicling the growth and breadth of the station's programming over 50 years.

Airing early Monday, September 24 from 12 midnight – 1 am ET on THIRTEEN, Pioneers of THIRTEEN features rarely seen clips of the artistic and groundbreaking programming unearthed from the WNET archives, as well as firsthand stories from the people who created the inspiring programs over 50 years.  Each episode tells the story of a decade, beginning with the launch, September 16, 1962, when Edward R. Murrow, host of the inaugural broadcast, introduced Channel 13, WNDT – "New Dimensions in Television," which would later evolve into WNET.  Dustin Hoffman, Martin Sheen and Jon Voight are seen at nascent stages of their careers. The remaining three episodes,The '70s – Bold and Fearless, The '80s – Trusted Voice and The '90s and Beyond – Changing Landscape will be broadcast at quarterly intervals, the '70s airing slated for January.

About WNET

In 2012, WNET is celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of THIRTEEN, New York's flagship public media provider. As the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Need to Know, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah!  and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJ Today and the new online newsmagazine MetroFocus.

Website: thirteen.org/50
Facebook: wnet-thirteen
Twitter: @ThirteenNY

THIRTEEN's 50^th Anniversary Web site: www.thirteen.org/50

SOURCE THIRTEEN/WNET