Patch & PIX11 Harness the Power of "Local" in New Content Partnership

PIX11 Newscasts Will Feature Patch's Most Compelling Stories and Breaking News From Nearly 150 Communities in the Tri-State Area

NEW YORK, May 17, 2012 -- Patch, AOL's leading platform of local news, information and engagement sites, and WPIX-TV (PIX11), Tribune Broadcasting's New York television station, today announced a partnership designed to feature Patch content in daily PIX11 newscasts. "Patch on PIX" segments will kick off this week on PIX11 News at Five, and are expected to expand to the PIX11 Morning News.

"Patch on PIX" segments, shot daily at Patch's NYC headquarters, will highlight the most popular news and compelling stories from Patch sites in Westchester, Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

"In our continuing goal to better serve our local communities, PIX11's partnership with Patch will deliver valuable content to our viewers, creating a richer and deeper news experience," said Bill Carey, PIX11 News Director.

The PIX11 and Patch news teams will also have access to each other's content during breaking news situations, in order to bring their respective audiences the most up-to-date details on developing stories. In addition, PIX11 may feature some of Patch's top headlines during the PIX11 Morning News via the PIX11 news ticker.

"PIX11 is a terrific venue for Patch's unique brand of local content," said Rachel Feddersen, Chief Content Officer at Patch. "Their reach as one of the top TV outlets in the nation, along with our editors' online coverage of the most compelling stories in the area, will be a big win for viewers who are short on time but have a big interest in what's going on in their communities and beyond. We're very excited about this new way to distribute our content; it's a great on-air extension of our mission to bring local residents the most relevant and timely news and information."

The partnership launch comes on the heels of last week's announcement by AOL Chairman and CEO Tim Armstrong that Patch will command between $40 million and $50 million in revenue this year. Patch also drew its highest traffic to date in Q1 and now serves over 10 million users per month, as the Web's #5 local/regional property (comScore, April 2012). In just over three years, Patch has grown from 3 to over 850 sites in 23 states and now employs nearly 1,000 professional editors in those communities.

About Patch.com

Launched in 2009, Patch more than tripled its UV traffic between December 2010 and December 2011 and currently serves more than 10 million users (comScore, April 2012). With the mission of becoming the most trusted source of local news and information via a platform of hyperlocal sites, Patch is managed by professional local journalists and photographers. Patch is also the premier online destination for residents who want to participate in discussions, post announcements and event information, share their perspectives via Patch's blogging platform, and get involved in their communities. In addition, business owners and advertisers benefit from Patch's unique ability to geotarget new and existing customers. Serving as the eyes and ears for what is happening at the grassroots level across the country, Patch is now in over 850 communities in 23 states plus Washington, D.C.

ABOUT PIX11

Founded in 1948 and owned by Tribune Broadcasting, a division of the Tribune Company, PIX11 has long been regarded as a groundbreaking station in New York. In September 2006, PIX11 became the flagship station of the CW Television Network, and its successful primetime programming, award winning news, extensive library of hit movies, first-run programs, off-network sitcom favorites, quality children's programming and public affairs shows, as well as outstanding event coverage, have contributed to the station's success. PIX11 has earned over 200 Emmy Awards, including two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning News Program and multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Newscast. The station has been honored with numerous other awards for excellence in reporting, news coverage, public affairs, specials and features. In addition, PIX11 has been the official broadcast television home of the New York Mets since 1999. For more information, please visit www.pix11.com

      
        PATCH 
        Janine Iamunno, 212-274-2282 
        janine@patch.com 
        or 
        Joe Wiggins 
        joe.wiggins@patch.com 
        or 
        PIX11 
        Jessica Bellucci 
        jbellucci@tribune.com