NJPAC Partners with Panasonic for New AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Broadcasts and More

Reinventing its business model for long-term growth, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced the creation of a cutting-edge broadcast solutions package, and a significant expansion of in-house television production capabilities. The initiatives are designed to transform NJPAC into a world-class broadcast center located in the proximity of New York City that will generate new revenue streams at a fraction of the cost.

The summer's number one reality show - NBC-TV's America's Got Talent, will be among the first networks to use the new state-of-the-art technology when they film auditions for another exciting season at NJPAC, March 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, taping two shows each day.

Additions to NJPAC's broadcast production, operation and technical presentation functions were accomplished in collaboration with its business partner, and Newark neighbor, Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America.

"We're transforming the New Jersey Performing Arts Center into a broadcast center that's among the most cost efficient, up-to-date, and visually stunning in the world," said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. "Broadcasting is an important part of the Arts Center's story of growth. We're creating opportunities to position ourselves for expansion and new revenues. Broadcasts also enable us to deliver arts learning opportunities to millions, not thousands, of kids each season. With Panasonic's help, NJPAC is evolving into a flexible, creative and accessible organization, fulfilling our mission to present the best of the arts to uniquely diverse audiences."

Panasonic's technology and engineering support provides NJPAC with distinct competitive advantages and further strengthens the arts center's position as a leader in broadcast innovation. NJPAC is New Jersey's largest performing arts center and one of the largest in the U.S. Among performing arts centers and musical performance venues in the U.S., NJPAC now stands alone as the most advanced and best-equipped to handle all aspects of video production within its own facility.

"The NJPAC project is a wonderful initiative that will support education in the arts and distance learning, both of which have long-term benefits for the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey," emphasized Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America. "But, what really struck me about the project, was the potential this broadcast center has to expand the horizons of young people as they consider careers. Knowing that there is such a broadcasting center right in the heart of Newark can make them aware of opportunities they didn't know existed, encourage them to pursue careers in television and, I hope, exponentially expand diversity in the TV production industry."

NJPAC has built a sterling industry reputation with networks, including Home Box Office, Comedy Central, BET, PBS and NJTV. Airings in the current season include John Leguizamo's Ghetto Klown (HBO), Artie Lange's The Stench of Failure (Comedy Central), and the American Songbook at NJPAC (WNET/NJTV). This new technology also leveraged the return of NBC's America's Got Talent, and Black Entertainment Television's Black Girls Rock, both taping programs in March.

By embracing non-traditional initiatives such as network and cable television broadcasts, commercial shoots, corporate events using new media and distance learning, NJPAC has the flexibility to move programming beyond its four walls directly into theaters, classrooms and living rooms. Implementation of Panasonic's technology solutions now gives NJPAC the ability to stream more content by broadcasting across multiple platforms. Click here to access NJPAC broadcast center high-resolution images.

NJPAC clients will notice significant cost savings and increased efficiencies across all areas of broadcast production, including reduction in load-in and load-out days, minimizing the use of temporary cables, supplying portable broadcast 'fly packs' instead of equipment rentals, and providing greater availability to 'house' broadcast cameras and interfaces and recording in high-definition (HD) as part of a simplified plug-and-play system.

"Gaining insight behind NJPAC's decision to reshape their business model gave Panasonic engineers the chance to design a customized technology solution that exceeded NJPAC's initial request," observed Jim Doyle, President of Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company. "Panasonic's expertise in grasping underlying customer needs ensured that NJPAC received what it needed to stand out among the world's performing arts centers and enhance its attraction as a global destination venue."

NJPAC has created an immersive experience for onsite audiences with more state-of-the-art cameras and installation of HD throughout its existing cable system, resulting in higher quality lobby projection and enhanced simulcast capabilities. Dramatically increasing its technical and broadcast production capabilities allows NJPAC to broaden its appeal, carving out new marketing and business opportunities falling outside the norm of traditional operating uses for a performing arts center.

"It's about using technology to extend our market reach and deliver more programs to people, wherever they are, whatever their device," noted David Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Executive Producer at NJPAC. "Panasonic's technologies, total refurbishment of NJPAC's broadcast infrastructure and owning the finest projection systems on the market permits NJPAC to give producers and directors the tools they need to perform their jobs at the highest possible levels."

America's Got Talent tickets are available from FrontRowTickets.com or by calling 888-856-7835.

About NJPAC - The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States and is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey - where GREAT PERFORMANCES and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State's and the world's best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted nearly 9 million visitors (plus more than 1 million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit www.njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC for more information.

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