SNY to debut cutting-edge studio
SNY has taken its network studios to new heights.
After nearly 11 years on the ground and basement floors of 1271 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown, SNY is moving to the 49th and 50th floors at 4 World Trade Center this week. The network will make its broadcast debut from the new studios on Saturday night with its flagship program, SportsNite.
The new headquarters, which SNY president Steve Raab said will cost as much as $50 million, features three studios with views and backdrops of the city from 50 stories above street level. The 50th floor also houses two master control rooms along with sizable production space.
Jack Morton, designer of the three studios (31, named after Mike Piazza’s uniform number; 41, named after Tom Seaver; and 42, named for Jackie Robinson) spent nine months creating the stateof-the art facility. He said his goal was to create a versatile production floor. The three studios include dozens of set locations, more than 50 mobile monitors, and 360-degree views of the city.
“The equipment, combined with built-in studio, set and design flexibility allows us endless opportunities to create more content for our viewers,” said SNY senior vice president and executive producer Curt Gowdy Jr.
Raab said the network looked at locations in Midtown East as well as Long Island City, but felt 4 World Trade Center embodied New York on a different level.
“As we began to look at prospective new locations, the downtown area and 4 World Trade Center topped our list,” Raab said. “We immediately felt the neighborhood’s vibrancy, envisioned the space’s potential and, after careful planning and execution over the past year, we are thrilled with the final results.” rthompson@nypost.com