The two stations share studios at the City University of New York's Graduate Center in Midtown Manhattan,[2] while WNYE-TV's transmitter is located at 4 Times Square.

For this reason, in September 1962, Newark, New Jersey–based commercial independent WNTA-TV (channel 13) was converted into non-commercial WNDT (now WNET), which would become the New York metropolitan area's main educational outlet.

Originally, it was primarily focused on providing instructional programming that could be used in classrooms, while channel 13 served as the New York area's National Educational Television (NET) outlet.

The operational hours were extended gradually from 1970 onward as the station began to add programming from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) to its schedule.

The majority of these offerings are produced in-house by NYC Media, including Cool in Your Code, Full Frontal Fashion and Eat Out NY.

Tommy Ramone was the host of an episode and the show has featured such bands as Fischerspooner, Animal Collective, Cat Power and the National.

Artists like Beirut and groups such as Vampire Weekend and the Plain White T's openly credit their big break to the show and its producer, Shirley Braha.

Companies such as Subaru, American Express, Delta Air Lines and Snapple, as well as many local establishments, have been active in underwriting NYC Media programs.

Despite these successes, the station has come under some degree of criticism from the New York City Council, and Councilmember Gale Brewer who has called NYC Media "too hip and flashy."

[9] On August 4, 2009, the Village Voice published a cover article criticizing the station's founder, Arick Wierson, for his many outside business interests, and his close relationship to the Mayor and other wealthy businessmen.