What: n3tv, Moses Znaimer’s latest brainchild, is a next-generation look
at what’s next in culture, technology,
science, space, health and the social impacts of an increasingly futuristic
society. The three n’s: next.new.now.
Why: Rapid advances in technology are creating a techno-culture obsessed with transcending obsolescence and finding spirituality in the age of silicon chips. Znaimer’s latest production offers an
up-to-the-moment look at how we’re changing, why we’re changing, and how technology informs every aspect of a reality mediated by computers and
electronic devices.
Who: Everyone in the world. No person, profession, or trend is beyond the focus of n3tv. If it’s next, new or now, and has the potential to dramatically alter the way we live in the age of technology, n3tv is on the scene.
Where: n3tv is broadcast in more than 20 countries around the world, and
travels to the streets, temples and labs
of tomorrow to uncover the different ways in which tomorrow’s lives are
being imagined and lived.
The creative forces behind N3TV
A conversation between Digital Journal magazine and Judith Pyke, Segment Producer, and Lina Cino, Producer of N3TV.
Digital Journal: How and when was N3TV conceptualized?
N3TV: We were producing Ooh La La and noticed that the content of the show wasn’t matching the titles of the segments. The
segments were very different from what the agreed-upon stories would be. Moses said he had the pill to all our headaches in what is now N3TV. At first we called this concept ‘Next TV.’ He wanted to create a show that dealt with what’s going to happen next in science,
technology, space, health and social issues. We were to take Moses’ idea and turn it into a show in six weeks, and we did it.
Digital Journal: When did the first show air?
N3TV: In October, 1999.
Digital Journal: Which topics in design, technology, media, science, spirituality and art qualify to be featured?
N3TV: Viewer feedback and what our people are talking about. We take ideas from trends, Moses, online magazines such as DigitalJournal.com, newspapers and books. We also get input from universities who tell us about what they are working on and how it may impact society.
Digital Journal: What is the future for N3TV?
N3TV: We are still getting our stride at team meetings, selling the program, developing our creative team and doing our balancing act with creative and production. We’ll get better and offer even more interesting stories because we have high expectations and standards.
There’s no shortage of story ideas. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, somebody does something surprising and unexpected that has the potential to change the way a large number of people think and live. That’s what’s so exciting about N3TV – it’s never the same twice.
Moses Znaimer: Behind N3TV
Znaimer is Co-Founder, President and Executive Producer of Toronto’s radical and popular independent television station, Citytv (1972); MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic, MusiquePlus and MusiMax, the Nation’s TV Music stations in English and French; Bravo! – Canada’s NewStyleArtsChannel; SPACE – The Imagination Station; CablePulse24 – MegaCityNews; Canadian Learning Television – Television That Teaches; Star! – The Entertainment Information Station; and Vice-President Development, Chum Limited.
Znaimer is known to the Canadian arts and business communities for having brought an original drive in television and allied communications arts into a comfortable alignment with the practical demands of commerce. The international broadcasting community recognizes him for his innovation in developing the Participatory and Interactive Streetfront, Studioless, Television Operating System.
Znaimer was born in Kulab, Tajikistan. Arrived in Montreal, a post war DP in 1948. Formal education completed at McGill (Honours B.A.) and Harvard (M.A.) Universities. He holds a Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa), “For leadership and vision in the use of communication technologies to enhance the quality of social, cultural and educational life in Canada” from Athabasca University (Canada’s foremost institution of higher learning in Distance Education). His commitment to the electronic medium started early when he purchased the family’s first television set with his Bar Mitzvah money.
