By Serena Solomon
DNAinfo Reporter Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — Channel 13 can be watched live at Lincoln Center starting in May at the channel's new street-level, viewer-friendly television studio.
Thirteen and its parent organization, WNET.ORG, are aiming to boost the exposure of its programing with the new studio — a national first for public television — located on the corner of 66th Street and Broadway where fans can catch a glimpse of behind-the-scenes action.
"With these new studios, we're emphasizing the 'public' in 'public media,'" said Neal Shapiro, president and CEO of WNET.ORG, in a statement.
"The energy, creativity and the people of New York City has always fueled our work and our programing, and these new studios make those elements an official part of our broadcasting day."
Media personalities and public officials, such as City Comptroller John Liu, gathered around the floor-to-ceiling glass windows for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Paula Zahn, the co-host of Sunday Arts on PBS, is looking forward to some interesting viewer interaction when her show starts filming here in May.
"I'm sure there will be a way to bring the energy from the street into the studio," said Zahn at a press conference Tuesday.
She said that after 30 years in the business she was looking forward to getting out of the interior studios, which she said were comparable to "dungeons," and coming up to street level.
The studio will be used for filming shows like "Sunday Arts" and a new PBS public affairs show, "Need to Know," premiering May 7.
The second-level studio will be used for special events and lectures.
