KCETLink Steps Out with 'City Walk': A New Transmedia Series
An original multi-media series explores the growing
effort to utilize public walkable spaces in major cities across the country to
become less vehicle-dependent
Burbank, Calif. - April 25, 2013 - As
the nation continues to grow accustomed to a society with little physical movement
and exercise in the last century, the rise of health conditions such as obesity,
diabetes, high blood pressure and depression have been looming side effects. KCETLink has announced the premiere of City Walk, a new multi-media
series that captures a rising nationwide effort to reverse this trend, spotlighting
walkable neighborhoods in major cities, and inspiring viewers to explore urban
areas by foot.
Launching on KCETThursday, May 2 at 10 p.m. and on Link TV Thursday, May 9 at 8:30
EST/5:30 PSD
, this unique six-part series reveals the way walking istransforming cities across America, and in the process, re-connecting us with
our bodies.
"We are excited to be able to offer an
innovative multi-faceted series to our viewers and invite them to explore their
public urban landscape with multiple engagement opportunities on the air,
online and beyond," said Juan Devis, Vice President, Arts and Culture
Programming for KCETLink. "We are pleased to help shepherd urban exploration
into the public consciousness through walking, and encourage a healthier
lifestyle."
"After working for two years on
collecting these inspirational stories from across the country, we are proud to
bring this national conversation about walking to the KCETLink audience,"
added Thomas Rigler, Executive Producer,City
Walk
. "The show has been an incredible journey, and we are eager tohave the viewers now join us."
The first season of City Walk features 30-minute episodes
exploring various aspects of pedestrian life in cities including: Los Angeles,
Portland, Boston, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and New York. Each episode offers
inspiring stories centered on the health and biology of walking, historical
perspectives on how our society settled into a sedentary lifestyle and the
positive impact walking can make in peoples' lives.
As the show explores the "walkability"
of communities within each metropolis, viewers will learn about American
history by exploring culturally rich neighborhoods, stunning architecture,
monuments and beautiful parks that have helped define the character of each
city.
The multi-platform series will engage
audiences beyond television and also permeate online, mobile, tablets, social
networks and communal activism across urban landscapes. The series features a vibrant online
destination at kcet.org/citywalk
where visitors can stream full episodes, find show segments, web extras,
related news, and tap into additional resources on how walking can change your
life.
The series will premiere at Digital Hollywood on Tuesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. at the Ritz
Carlton in Marina Del Rey, Calif., with filmmakers and the series' executive
producers in attendance.
City
Walk
is executive produced by Thomas Rigler of Rigler Creative and Juan Devis, Vice
President of Arts and Culture Programming, KCETLink.
Complete
broadcast airtimes include:
|
Link
TV
(Nationally
via DirecTV 375 and DISH Network 9410)
|
Premieres May 9 at 5:30 p.m. PDT/ 8:30 p.m. EST
[check linktv.org for future
airdates]
|
KCET
(Southern
California)
|
May 2 at 10 p.m. PDT
May 30 at 10 p.m.
June 27 at 10 p.m.
July 25 a 10 p.m.
August 22 at 10 p.m. and
September 26 at 10 p.m.
|
City
Walk Season One Episode Descriptions
Episode 1: New York City, Washington D.C., Pasadena
and Boulder
Features the Jane Jacobs Tour in
Harlem New York, a city walk across Washington, D.C.; the
walkability of Pasadena, Calif.; and the HighLine--A linear park in Manhattan's
Chelsea Neighborhood.
Episode 2: Los Angeles, Washington D.C.,
Boston
Features CicLAvia in downtown
L.A.; the walkability of Dupont Circle; and
The Boston Greenway which unify an area that was once divided physically,
socially and psychologically and a return to the designs of Frederick Olmsted.
Episode 3: New York City, Portland, Atlanta
Features The
Great Saunter in Manhattan; the walkability of Portland, Oregon with Mayor Sam
Adams; and The Atlanta BeltLine - A 22 mile loop of trails, parks and green
space transforming the character of Atlanta is currently the most ambitious
open space project in the country.
Episode 4: New York City, Washington D.C.,
Orange County
Features The
Iverson Mall Walkers: a group of spunky seniors who have been strolling their
way to better health and social interaction for decades; the walkability of Times
Square; and the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, CA: A nature walk in the midst
of SoCal's most developed region.
Episode 5: Los Angeles, Boston, New York City
Features a
Walk to School initiative in Glendale Calif.: The Walking School Bus; the
walkability of Boston; and Manhattan Parks Quartet.
Episode 6: Los Angeles, Denver, New York City
Features The
Big Parade, Calif.; the walkability of Culver City; a historical
architecture tour of Manhattan and
"Volkswalking": Walking with the whole family.
ABOUT KCETLink
KCETLink is the national independent public
transmedia organization formed by the merger between KCET and Link Media. A viewer-supported 501(c)(3) organization,
its content is distributed nationally via satellite on DirecTV and DISH, in
Southern and Central California via broadcast, as well as through various
digital delivery systems. KCET and Link TV are services of KCETLink. For additional information about
KCETLink productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and
community events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org.
ABOUT Rigler Creative
Rigler
Creative is a full-service transmedia production company based in Pasadena,
California, delivering award-winning film and video production along with
integrated marketing and online solutions for brands, studios, agencies and
networks. For more information, visit riglercreative.com.
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