SYRACUSE, NY, (November 30, 2009) –WCNY brings cooking, the arts, and events happening all over Central New York to public television with the brand new series “WCNY Connected,” premiering Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. on WCNY 24.1. The show is hosted by Ted Long and Amy Robbins and gives viewers a look inside Central New York happenings that entertain and inspire better living.

"We are excited to add a lifestyle show to our local programming," said Robert J. Daino, President and Chief Executive Officer of WCNY-TV/FM and Chair of Association of Public Broadcasting Stations of New York. "Our broadcast coverage includes 19 counties, and each community offers several entertaining events, along with personalities with advice and tips for great living. Now viewers can turn to WCNY not only for informative public affairs coverage, but also leisure reporting as well."

“WCNY Connected” will feature local guests who will share their passion and expertise on everything from music to cooking and the arts. The premiere episode takes a behind the scenes look at how the Onondaga Parks Department gets thousands of lights ready for Lights on the Lake as well as a first look at the Center of Ballet and Dance Art’s Adventures of Rudolph. From visiting the 16th Annual Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles to meeting the Syracuse Renegades Improv Troupe, viewers will get more out of Central New York each week with “WCNY Connected.”

“It’s great to be a part of “WCNY Connected” because it is unique to other Central New York shows and we can focus on stories that are of interest to local residents,” said host Amy Robbins. “I’m big into cooking and it will be fun to feature local restaurants as well as festivals and events coming to town.”

If it’s happening in Central New York, it’s happening on “WCNY Connected.” Tune in to “WCNY Connected” Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. on WCNY 24.1.

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WCNY is a private, tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, and member-supported affiliate of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) founded in 1965. We serve a 19-county viewing and listening area, reaching more than 1.8 million households via on-air, radio and online content.

WCNY broadcasts television programming on “Main Channel” 24.1 in Syracuse, WCNY2, and digital channels: Your TV 24.2, Cinema 24 – 24.3, and WCNY-HD – 24.4. All channels are carried by 33 cable carriers including Time Warner. WCNY is also the only station in our broadcast area that offers true HD 24-hours a day.

WCNY-FM, the only classical music station in Central New York, is broadcast on WCNY-FM, 91.3 in Syracuse, WJNY-FM, 90.9 in Watertown, WUNY-FM, 89.5 in Utica, and is broadcast over the World Wide Web at www.wcny.org. Our visually impaired audience can access “Read-Out,” a radio reading service.

WCNY offers educational videos online. We also produce original programming that inspires, educates, and entertains, and offer award-winning video production and media consulting services to the public.