On New Jersey is launching a 24/7 streaming network that focuses entirely and exclusively on covering issues throughout the state.
“On New Jersey will be the world’s only New Jersey-focused live TV streaming channel, with top local news, community, politics, real estate, and more,” the new station said in a press release. “We’re proud to put the Garden State first, delivering relevant content to active and engaged viewers for, about, and made by local New Jersey talent.”
New Jersey seems to have been short-changed by the media market. Despite being the 11th-most populated state in the country, the New Jersey media market is dominated by New York City and Philadelphia.
Network news affiliates frequently prioritize those cities and states ahead of New Jersey, especially since veteran WNBC-TV reporter Brian Thompson retired.
“We believe that there is a growing gap in New Jersey journalism and New Jersey television coverage,” said Gerald D’Ambra, a founder of ON NJ News.
News 12 New Jersey operates a 24/7 cable news network that has become hugely valuable to the state, especially during major weather events. But New Jersey PBS covers news only part-time.
On New Jersey is seeking to remedy these disparities by bringing coverage that is exclusively about New Jersey and New Jerseyans to the state. The network will cover everything in New Jersey – from hyperlocal stories, to sports, to politics, and everything in between, with a special focus on interviews.
“We are rolling out a news program that will feature interviews and stories on all aspects of the state,” Lisa Falbo, co-founder and host of Your New Jersey and co-host of The New Jersey Morning Show, told the New Jersey Globe.
Investing in New Jersey as its specific media market might pay dividends, given the population size.
“Removing New Jersey from the New York & Philly DMAs (Designated Market Areas), the NJ DMA would rank as the 4th-largest DMA in the United States,” an On New Jersey press release explained.
These issues though also raise fundamental questions about the news and about informational literacy – and about how communities should be served by the news.
Recent years have seen the widening of news deserts – those areas that are not covered by news organizations.
On NJ is working to remedy these issues by ensuring that New Jerseyans are represented and have access to information about the state.
“On New Jersey is finally serving a massive, under-served audience,” the press release concluded.