• by Ray Schultz , March 17, 2021

Newsday, the Long Island daily, has taken a step into branded content by offering its video production capabilities to outside clients for the first time in its 80-year history.  

Equipped with new multimedia studios, Newsday Productions provides studio services, multi-media theatre, post-production and distribution. Clients can use it for branding and marketing, corporate training & HR, annual reports, nonprofit, presentation, medical and other types of videos, the company says on its website.  

The organization has won Pulitzer Prizes and has been noted throughout its history for its news coverage and columnists. Its production expertise is perhaps less known.  

Still, the move signals at least a partial remedy for the financial challenges faced by local newspapers.  

“This is a pivotal moment for us,” says Newsday owner Pat Dolan, according to News & Tech. “It’s the next step in our continuing transition to a digital multimedia future.” 

Last year, when writing about Newsday’s digital transformation, Dolan said: “There has been a ton of chatter equating newspapers with Jurassic creatures lurching around on their last legs. The reality is far different." 

The facilities on Long Island include two sets. 

The Stage Set, or Studio A, includes 5,000 square feet of production space, an anchor desk or talk show style options. Also offered is a 3D virtual set with a virtual environment and a 24’ x 10’ cyclorama green screen set.  

The firm’s Multimedia Studio, Studio B, features four LED theater screens, 4 PTZ robotic cameras and 5.1 surround sound.

Presumably, the studio will largely serve Long Island clients, but it could also attract brands and agencies in New York City, less than an hour away.