Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Deirdra L. Picou (212) 788-2971
Joining the Mayor at the WBIS+ Launch Celebration Program were:
"I'm very pleased to be here this evening to welcome a new name in television to New York City," said Mayor Giuliani. "WBIS+, or Channel 31, will be the first over-the-air commercial television station to serve New York in over 28 years."
Mayor Giuliani said, "It was just last July that ITT and The Dow Jones Company purchased the station from the City of New York for $207 million. And since that time WBIS+ has come a long way. Headquartered in the World Financial Center, WBIS+ is the first commercial broadcast center to be built in New York City's Financial District.
"With its focus on New York sports and business, much of the station's programming will be specifically geared to meeting the needs of the people who live and work in our City. In addition, the station's location also provides an opportunity to showcase the newly revitalized downtown area of Lower Manhattan."
Mayor Giuliani concluded, "For all these reasons, WBIS+ is good for New Yorkers and for Lower Manhattan. For all these reasons, WBIS+ is good for New Yorkers and for New York City. Good luck and we will stay tuned for your success."
WBIS+, to be known by its signature S+ logo and I.D., is backed by the financial authority of Dow Jones and the expansive sports and entertainment resources of ITT. The station will broadcast 24 hours a day, providing comprehensive programming tailored to the tastes, tempo and temperament of New York City and the tri-state area.
The station will make its debut on January 21st 1997 and will reach approximately 16.5 milllion viewers. Business, news and information programming will originate from the S+ Studios in the World Financial Center.