The Jewish Broadcasting Service, just in time for the high holidays, is set to land on Spectrum cable systems in Milwaukee and several other Wisconsin markets on Sept. 1.
JBS, which was founded in 2008 and shows a wide variety of Jewish and Israeli programming, had already been available for those who subscribe to Comcast and DirecTV, as well as those who stream with Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and the JBS website. But now, at the start of September, it’s coming to Spectrum customers in such markets as Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Wausau, Fond du Lac and Oshkosh.
“We have been talking with Spectrum since their initial launches to bring our important and relevant programming to their customers in all their markets,” David Brugnone, the chief marketing officer for Jewish Broadcasting Service, told the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle.
JBS was available on Spectrum in other markets, but now it’s being added in many more of them, the Wisconsin cities included.
“Last year, we were told that Spectrum was considering adding JBS in all their markets and would begin their internal processes to determine how and when JBS could be added in their service areas that did not initially launch JBS.”
Spectrum, owned by Charter Communications, is the nation’s second-largest cable provider, behind Comcast.
Formerly known as Shalom TV and renamed the Jewish Broadcasting Service in 2014, JBS was founded in 2006 by Rabbi Mark S. Golub, who passed away in January. In addition to his work as a rabbi and media figure, Golub was also a prolific producer of Broadway shows. His daughter, Darah Golub, is now JBS’ acting CEO. (No relation to our Chronicle editor, Rob Golub.)
JBS, when it launched on Comcast in 2008, was “the first Jewish television channel ever to be included in the lineup of a major American provider,” Darah Golub told the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle in an interview.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, JBS “celebrates all things Jewish — a panorama of Jewish life.”
JBS produces some shows itself, in its Times Square studio in New York, including the interview show “In the Spotlight” with Abigail Pogrebin, as well as “Eye on Israel,” hosted by Shahar Azani.
“These two programs represent what JBS is trying to do, basically through conversation and thoughtful engagement,” Golub said. “They represent the arts and culture, and the conversations aspect, and the love of Israel.”
JBS also acquires other shows that fill out the rest of its programming slate, including shows from the Anti-Defamation League, the 92nd Street Y, and the Friends of the IDF. Golub added that while it is a Jewish network, “we have plenty of non-Jewish viewers as well.” The channel also has a programming slot called “Jewish Film Festival,” which shows Jewish-themed movies.
Golub noted that Shabbat and high holiday services are available to watch on JBS, especially for “Jews who are isolated, or homebound and unable to go to a synagogue.” Services are offered for those who prefer different denominations.
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