INDUSTRY WATCH

Center City Direct and CBS Launch Philadelphia's
First Digital Newsstands

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Center City Direct, a division of Alternative Media Holdings, LLC, is a Philadelphia-based marketing and technology company, has announced the launch of a street-level news network.

Center City Direct partnered with seven CBS stations in the Philadelphia market, that includes CBS 3 (KYW-TV), The CW Philly 57 (WPSG-TV), KYW Newsradio 1060, 98.1 WOGL, 94 WYSP, SportsRadio 610 WIP and The Big Talker 1210AM WPHT -- to create the Philadelphia market's first street-level news network.

Thirty-nine newsstands in Philadelphia went live at 7 a.m. today with CBS Always On— a 24-hours news ticker and a flat-screen high definition television displays to broadcast news, weather and sports updates along with tourist information about Philadelphia. Plans are to eventually expand to120 digital newsstands city-wide. CBS Local is the exclusive news provider for the service. Eyewitness News will supply the TV news updates throughout the day. The CBS Radio stations will provide content for the marquee.

The CBS Always On newsstand network is also wired to provide alerts in case of a city emergency, including Amber alerts, coordinated through the City's Office of Emergency Management. The initiative is the end product of an ordinance introduced by City Philadelphia Council Member Frank DiCicco this past summer and signed by Mayor Michael Nutter allowing digital signage for this purpose. Center City Direct manages the technology, the content and the advertising which covers the cost of the program at no cost to the City.

"This will be the most effective way for the city, businesses, our partners and community groups to communicate to the center city workforce," says Phong Phan, President and CEO of Center City Direct. "Digital Signage is a rapidly growing industry and we're thrilled to be a part of this initiative in Philadelphia."

The newsstand owners are also excited about the new addition to their stands, according to John Rocco, President of the Newsstand Association of Philadelphia. "This is another way that the City newsstands can provide news and information in the electronic age," he says. "It also provides us with a way to give back to the community."

The stands provide a natural extension for the CBS stations locally. "CBS 3 and The CW Philly have expanded our Eyewitness News brand across both stations, online and to cell phones," says President and General Manager Jon Hitchcock. "Providing a street-level news service is another way to provide the viewer with the news and information they need wherever they are and whenever they need it. Ultimately, we want CBS to be the news source locally."

"The combined voices of our two television stations and five radio stations represent the complete package," says Marc Rayfield, Senior Vice President and Market Manager for the CBS Radio Stations in Philadelphia. Whether the news of the day is sports, music, entertainment or politics, we have an authority on staff that can provide the latest headlines and beyond."

Center City Direct, a division of Alternative Media Holdings, LLC, is a Philadelphia-based marketing and technology company. Center City Direct uses its proprietary, web-enabled, closed-circuit TV technology to broadcast content to digital monitors installed in retailers, office buildings and on the street. Center City Direct customizes the content for each of its networks depending on the venue including broadcasting in multiple languages.