MetroTV Launches “Bid New York”

Interactive Auction Series Kicks-Off on Sunday, June 23rd, With Items From
Spider-Man, Sex in the City, The Sopranos and More

NEW YORK, N.Y., June 18, 2002 – New Yorkers looking for original, unique, and rare items from the worlds of fashion, entertainment, and sports have a new destination this summer. On Sunday, June 23rd at 4PM, MetroTV debuts its new weekly televised auction series titled “Bid New York.” Viewers will have a chance to bid live through their PC or touchtone telephone for one-of-a-kind collectibles in real-time. MetroTV is on Time Warner Cable channel 70 and on Cablevision channel 16.

Bid New York” will be a fully interactive series featuring four auction categories: fashion, home design, entertainment and sports memorabilia, and New York icons. New York icons include photographs and objects celebrating the Big Apple. Each Sunday at 4pm, MetroTV will preview all the items up for bid. At 6pm, a two-hour auction begins, closing out one of the four categories. Viewers can submit their bids online at www.newyorkmetro.com throughout the week and during the auction itself and watch the bidding process live on their TV screens. Once bids are entered on the viewer’s computer, they automatically appear on TV, using real-time bidding technology.

“We’re giving New Yorkers a chance to own one-of-a-kind collectibles, whether it’s a dress designed by their favorite fashion designer, a prop from the set of their favorite TV show, or an original baseball signed by a NY sports legend. “Bid New York” is the first of its kind to allow viewers to bid-on and purchase rare collectibles from their home,” said Bill Roberts, Vice President of Metro Interactive TV.

Bid New York’s” first episode will feature special guests, baseball stars Bobby Thompson and Ralph Branca, best-known for their “shot heard ’round the world” in a 1951 Giants/Dodgers game. Collectors will be able to bid on their signed memorabilia from that historical event as well as purchase other items from many more sports legends.

Each auction will contain approximately 80 lots consigned by reputable dealers and owners. The consignor is clearly identified for each item being sold. Bidders can log onto www.newyorkmetro.com beginning Monday, June 17th and click on the “Bid New York” icon to access the full auction catalogues and start placing absentee bids.

Highlights of the first Memorabilia auction include a Mark Messier hockey stick, a collection of Yankee signed baseballs and a Derek Jeter opening day baseball that have been consigned by Steiner Sports Marketing and Memorabilia. Madison Sports will offer vintage sports memorabilia including a Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin signed photograph. Viewers can also purchase props that appeared on their favorite TV and film sets from Props for Today. Items include: a green painted outdoor table and three matching side chairs from “Spider-Man”, a silver plated champagne bucket and small metal side table from “Sex in the City,” a framed poster from Ralph’s apartment and a small figurine from Dr. Melfi’s office from the set of “The Sopranos” and a fabulous green velvet sofa from Saturday Night Live hosted by Britney Spears.

About MetroChannels
Rainbow Media’s MetroChannels (MetroTV, MetroStories and Metro Traffic & Weather) is the first and only suite of television networks devoted entirely to the experience of living in the New York metropolitan area. MetroTV is the only local channel providing original programming focusing on fashion, culture and lifestyle. MetroStories provides documentary programming devoted to telling the stories of the people and places that make the New York metropolitan area world-famous. Metro Traffic&Weather is the tri-state’s first and only 24-hour local traffic, transit, and weather channel.

MetroChannels is owned and managed by Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., a leader in news, sports and entertainment programming. A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) and NBC, Rainbow manages American Movie Classics, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, MagRack, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow Sports Networks, WE: Women’s Entertainment and News 12 Networks as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. In addition, Rainbow is a fifty-percent partner in Fox Sports Net.

Press Contacts

  • Lisa Rogen
    MetroTV
    212-324-8552