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 KCET Thursday, 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 is transforming 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 to have 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 Manhattans 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 SoCals 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, agen

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