Lights, camera … action? N.J. Statehouse gets new studio

The New Jersey Statehouse is getting its own television studio.

The studio on the second floor of the Statehouse will be used mostly by NJTV public television, but it will also be available to other TV and radio outlets.  Treasury Department spokesman Andy Pratt said the $200,000 cost is being paid with money from the sale of the radio stations run by the now-defunct NJN.  (After Gov. Chris Christie decided to disband NJN and sell off pieces of it, WHYY bought five NJN stations in South Jersey; WNYC in New York City bought the others.)

NJTV is a new entity formed by WNET-TV, a public TV station in New York City, which bought NJN’s television license from the state. “It’s money that has to be dedicated to public broadcasting,” Pratt said. “So it’s not additional taxpayer money. On the other hand, it is located in a taxpayer-maintained and-operated facility. There are always some maintenance costs and some utility costs the state will have to pay because of its location.” NJTV is spending another $225,000 to equip the studio with cameras, lighting, sets, and a control room. The new facility is expected to be ready for use next month. The studio is located at the Welcome Center on the second floor of the Statehouse and features a glass window so visitors can view the taping of programs.