BronxNet is more than just a television channel. It’s a comprehensive system that combines broadcasting, high-quality content creation, youth education, and skill-building in public relations and journalism. This network can truly be called the “voice of the Bronx”—as diverse, vibrant, outspoken, and talented as the borough itself. In this article on bronx-future.com, we’ll explain what makes BronxNet different from traditional commercial channels and share some interesting facts from the organization’s history.
BronxNet’s Mission and Main Initiatives
The idea for BronxNet came from a group of proactive Bronx officials who, along with local residents, aimed to establish a modern television station and media center accessible to community members, students, activists, and public organizations. The channel began broadcasting in July 1993.
It is an independent nonprofit organization that provides Bronx residents with media production training and access to modern technology.
BronxNet’s mission is to inspire, educate, inform, engage, and amplify the voices of the community in the Bronx and beyond.
Since its inception, BronxNet has offered high school and college students the opportunity to intern, gaining hands-on knowledge of all stages of television production and participating in creating programs on art and social issues. BronxNet also provides training for individuals and nonprofit organizations who want to produce their own content. Students are taught various aspects of television—from technical and creative to managerial and editorial—with the goal of preparing them for professional careers in the media.
Among BronxNet’s key projects are:
- Open—an experimental talk show that allows community organizations to share information, feature artists and video art, host discussions, and inform the audience about events in and outside the Bronx.
- Open 2.0—a youth version of the program, created by teenagers and focused on their needs, problems, and interests. Students from various Bronx schools intern under the guidance of BronxNet professionals, learning to create their own shows.
- Bronx Live—a series of performances by local artists, including concerts, operas, theater productions, and other forms of performing arts that have received recognition, including a Cable-ACE Award and an Emmy nomination.
- Perspectives—a weekly live program dedicated to issues important to the African American community at local and national levels.
- Bronx Magazine—a monthly show about cultural events in the borough.
- Special People/Special Issues—a magazine-style program that explores topics related to the lives of people with disabilities.
BronxNet has been operating for 30 years, creating programs about the life, interests, and culture of the Bronx. It broadcasts on six high-definition channels, including multilingual programs in Spanish, Albanian, African languages, Guyanese, Hindi, and soon—Bengali.
A Powerful Launchpad for Youth Development
BronxNet actively supports the professional development of its interns and new talents. BronxNet students receive comprehensive training in various aspects of television production, management, and engineering. Production interns learn skills in video editing, shooting, studio work, and the fundamentals of journalism. They also get acquainted with engineering processes, participate in maintaining technical equipment, and help ensure broadcasts run smoothly.
Many students start their internships as part of their academic coursework for credit, and after the first semester, they may transition to a paid position. Over time, they gain practical experience as studio and field camera operators, sound engineers, assistant directors, graphic designers, and more.
The program is focused on providing practical skills that help young professionals take their first steps in the media industry. BronxNet leaders maintain relationships with managers at other television and cable companies, so interns have access to job openings and can receive recommendations.
Paid internships are funded by BronxNet’s partners and grantors. Specifically, the Van Leer Fellowship Program from the New York Community Trust previously supported six high school students and now funds three graduates through a two-year program.
With support from the Pew Center for Civic Journalism, BronxNet expanded its collaboration with Lehman College, particularly through a joint innovative multilingual journalism program. As part of this initiative, students work with professional producers and hosts, creating content on important topics such as education, the environment, and immigration.
New Studio Grand Opening
Until recently, the Bronx had two BronxNet studios (at Lehman and Mercy colleges). But in 2023, a state-of-the-art television facility opened in the heart of Mott Haven. The local public TV network, BronxNet, set up shop on the first two floors of the La Central mixed-use complex.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new studio, Bronx President Vanessa Gibson and network Executive Director Michael Max Knobbe officiated. The new space has become a true creative hub for young residents of the neighborhood, where they can learn video production at a professional level for free or for a small fee.
The studio’s location was once a ruin, and now it’s a modern space with robotic cameras, professional studios, green screens, and virtual sets thanks to Voyager technology.
“It’s unique in the South Bronx, unique in New York City, unique in the Northeast corridor,” Michael Max Knobbe said. “I don’t even know if there’s anything like this in Hollywood or out West, with what we’re doing in terms of the workforce and the learning experience for students here.”
The opening of the new space has allowed an even wider range of residents to take courses in virtual reality, cinematography, screenwriting, and digital art.
An example of this success is Sony Lopes, a Mott Haven resident who started as an intern at BronxNet and later became a journalist and producer. She created documentary projects on activism and art and now works at Democracy Now!, where she operates the teleprompter for host Amy Goodman.
“Take advantage of the opportunities and resources that BronxNet offers,” Lopes says. “I learned how to produce, write, shoot, and edit content. With the experience I got, I feel confident and empowered to go after opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise applied for without the real-life experience that I got from BronxNet.”
The new media center also includes an innovative visual technology lab and a soundproof “Windows on the Bronx” studio with a separate control room and robotic lighting systems. According to Knobbe, the level of technical equipment is on par with commercial networks, and often even surpasses them. This allows BronxNet to be a launchpad for the career growth of local talent.
Controversy Surrounding BronxNet
However, not everything is so rosy with BronxNet’s management. In the spring of 2024, a real scandal erupted around the nonprofit organization, although it seemed more like some internal grudges. Former BronxNet board chairman Paul Gentile filed a petition that caught the attention of the New York State Attorney General.
Gentile claims that BronxNet suffers from conflicts of interest among members of the board of directors, which he chaired for decades. One such conflict arose when BronxNet hired a lobbying firm with ties to board member Nick Lugo. Another conflict concerns the partnership with the financial consulting firm Consultiva Wealth Management, led by board member Myrna Rivera. While Rivera claims she did not receive compensation from Consultiva while managing more than $7 million of BronxNet’s investments, Gentile believes she prioritized Consultiva’s interests.
Gentile also noted that the organization faces financial difficulties due to decreased revenue from cable companies, as more and more people consume video content online.
However, it appears that this story is more about a fight for the position of chairman of the board of directors. Gentile stated that his removal was carried out in violation of procedures, as quorum and voting requirements were not met. However, BronxNet’s leadership denies everything.
“While the board finds these false accusations to be troubling, it has nothing to hide and we have reached out to the NY State Attorney General’s office to communicate our eagerness to put a stop to these false accusations of the BronxNet institution,” said Gentile’s successor, Edwin Mejia.
So, we hope that old grudges and misunderstandings in the upper echelons of power won’t prevent this wonderful and undoubtedly useful organization from continuing its work in the Bronx.