LXTV

LXTV is a United States television and digital-content production brand within NBCUniversal. It began in 2006 as a privately owned broadband television network and website founded by former MTV executives Morgan Hertzan and Joseph Varet. The venture originally operated under the name Code.TV and focused on producing short-form, personality-driven web video for online audiences. Its early work reflected the emerging digital-video environment of the mid-2000s, when production companies were experimenting with programming designed for web distribution rather than adapting conventional broadcast schedules directly to the internet. Before the LXTV rebrand, Code.TV attracted attention with a one-off web video following a young investment-banking analyst during an extravagant night out in New York. The video's conspicuous lifestyle subject matter and memorable catchphrase helped it circulate beyond the company's own distribution channels, receiving attention from online publishers and newspapers. This early exposure illustrated the company's intended editorial territory: urban lifestyle, entertainment, nightlife, food, design, real estate, and aspirational experiences aimed at younger and relatively affluent viewers. LXTV was acquired in January 2008 by NBC's owned television-stations operation, subsequently placing the company within the wider NBCUniversal portfolio. The acquisition gave LXTV access to broadcast infrastructure, local-station relationships, and opportunities to convert digital concepts into television programs. Rather than remaining solely an internet publisher, LXTV developed a hybrid production model in which original web-video sensibilities were applied to nationally syndicated and locally originated television. Its programming became associated with lifestyle and entertainment shows such as 1st Look, Open House, Open House NYC, and George to the Rescue. The company also became involved in NBC's local digital-channel strategy. After NBC Weather Plus ended in late 2008, WNBC introduced NBC New York Nonstop in March 2009 as a local-information, news, and lifestyle service. LXTV programs formed part of the programming mix. During late 2010 and early 2011, additional NBC-owned stations adopted related Nonstop digital-subchannel arrangements, using a combination of local programming and content supplied by NBC-affiliated production units, including LXTV. This expanded the brand's role from a web-originated producer into a supplier of repeatable lifestyle programming for a multi-station broadcast network. LXTV's New York production also supported New York Live, a daily live lifestyle program on WNBC that was formerly known as LX New York. The program combined studio production from 30 Rockefeller Plaza with reports from locations around New York City. In 2019, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations launched LX, a digital news and original-content brand. LXTV supplied programming for that initiative, linking the company's established lifestyle-production capabilities with NBCUniversal's newer digital distribution strategy. The brand's documented position is therefore less that of a consumer-facing product label and more that of a specialized content-production identity. LXTV's output has been designed for television stations, syndicated distribution, digital channels, and NBCUniversal-owned media initiatives. Its editorial emphasis remains lifestyle and entertainment programming, particularly formats centered on homes, food, travel, local culture, design, service, and access to urban experiences. Public reference material does not establish a separate standalone website, a stock listing, independent financial results, or a current executive roster for LXTV itself.

LXTV originated in 2006 as Code.TV, a privately owned broadband television network and website established by former MTV executives Morgan Hertzan and Joseph Varet. Its initial strategy was to create original programming specifically for web distribution. This distinguished the company from traditional television producers that were merely placing broadcast clips online: Code.TV treated the internet as a primary outlet for short-form, personality-led content. The company gained early visibility through a web video about a young investment-banking analyst spending an extravagant evening in New York. Its lavish subject matter and distinctive personality generated online circulation and drew attention from outlets including Gawker, The New York Times, and the New York Sun. Code.TV subsequently adopted the LXTV name as it developed a broader lifestyle and entertainment identity. In January 2008, NBC's owned television-stations operation acquired LXTV. Under NBC ownership, the company moved beyond its original broadband-network model and became a production supplier capable of developing programming for local stations, syndication, and digital channels. Its work was particularly suited to lifestyle formats covering homes, design, food, local culture, entertainment, and urban experiences. Programs associated with the company included 1st Look, Open House, Open House NYC, and George to the Rescue. LXTV became an important contributor to NBC's local digital-channel initiatives after NBC Weather Plus was discontinued in late 2008. WNBC launched NBC New York Nonstop in March 2009 with a schedule combining local information, news, and lifestyle programming. LXTV shows were incorporated into that schedule. During late 2010 and early 2011, eight additional NBC-owned stations adopted Nonstop-related digital-subchannel formats. These services combined locally produced material with core programming supplied by affiliated production units, including LXTV. The company also developed New York Live, a live daily lifestyle program for WNBC, originally titled LX New York. The show used Studio 3K at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and included live reporting from New York City locations. This work demonstrated LXTV's ability to combine a local-market broadcast format with the company's established lifestyle and entertainment approach. In September 2019, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations launched LX, a digital news brand focused on original content. LXTV provided programming for the initiative, extending the brand's role into a newer NBCUniversal digital-media framework. The available reference material does not document LXTV as an independently listed company, does not provide standalone financial results, and does not identify a current executive team beyond its historical founders. It is best understood as an NBCUniversal production unit and content brand rather than as a separately traded media corporation.

1. 2019LX digital news brand launches

   NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations launches LX for digital news and original content, with LXTV supplying programming.

   Source
2. 2010Nonstop expansion begins across NBC-owned stations

   Additional NBC-owned stations adopt Nonstop digital-subchannel formats that include programming from LXTV.

   Source
3. 2009LXTV programming enters NBC New York Nonstop

   WNBC uses LXTV lifestyle programming in its replacement local digital service after NBC Weather Plus is discontinued.

   Source
4. 2008LXTV is acquired by NBC's owned television-stations operation

   The acquisition brings LXTV's digital production capabilities into NBC's local-station and broadcast-content structure.

   Source
5. 2006Code.TV is founded

   Morgan Hertzan and Joseph Varet establish a privately owned broadband television network and website focused on original web video.

   Source
6. 2006The company adopts the LXTV name

   The company rebrands from Code.TV to LXTV as it develops a broader lifestyle and entertainment-content identity.

   Source

A youth-oriented and affluent-audience lifestyle-content producer that bridges original digital video, local broadcast television, syndicated programming, and NBCUniversal digital distribution.

• 1st LookLifestyle and entertainment television

  A lifestyle and entertainment program associated with LXTV's television-production portfolio. It presents experiences, destinations, food, culture, and activities through a youthful, access-oriented format designed for viewers interested in urban and aspirational leisure.

• Open HouseReal-estate and home-lifestyle television

  A home and property-focused program associated with LXTV. Its subject area includes residences, architecture, design, and lifestyle, fitting the company's broader emphasis on presenting desirable spaces and contemporary living to a relatively affluent audience.

• Open House NYCReal-estate and home-lifestyle television

  A New York-focused extension of the Open House format. The program connects residential property and design coverage with the New York market, reinforcing LXTV's original association with urban lifestyle programming.

• George to the RescueHome-improvement television

  A lifestyle and home-improvement program in the LXTV programming portfolio. It uses renovation and transformation as the central editorial device, combining practical residential work with human-interest storytelling.

• New York LiveLocal live lifestyle television

  A daily live lifestyle show produced for WNBC and formerly known as LX New York. The program combines studio production from 30 Rockefeller Plaza with live reports from locations around New York City, covering local culture, entertainment, and lifestyle subjects.

• LX digital programmingDigital news and original content2019

  Programming supplied by LXTV for LX, the digital news and original-content brand launched by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations in 2019. The initiative extends LXTV's production role from broadcast lifestyle formats into NBCUniversal's digital distribution environment.

• 2019LXTV contributes to the LX digital brandProduct launch

  NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations created LX as a digital news and original-content service.

  What changed. LXTV supplied programming for the newly launched LX digital brand.

  Aftermath. The move connected LXTV's lifestyle-production expertise with NBCUniversal's digital news and original-content distribution strategy.

  Source
• 2008NBC acquires LXTVM&A

  LXTV had established a digital-content identity and NBC's owned television-stations operation sought programming and production capabilities for local and digital outlets.

  What changed. NBC acquired LXTV and integrated it into its owned-stations content structure.

  Aftermath. LXTV expanded from web distribution into local broadcast, syndicated, and digital-channel programming.

  Source
• 2006Focus on original broadband videoStrategy

  Code.TV was established during the early expansion of online video, when web publishers were developing programming outside traditional broadcast schedules.

  What changed. The founders built a broadband television network and website centered on original, personality-driven web video.

  Aftermath. The approach created the foundation for LXTV's later transition into television production and syndication.

  Source

• 2019NBCUniversal launches the LX digital news brand

  NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations launched LX as a digital news and original-content brand, with LXTV contributing programming.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2010NBC-owned stations expand the Nonstop digital-subchannel model

  Additional NBC-owned stations adopted Nonstop-style digital channels, incorporating LXTV programs such as Talk Stoop, George to the Rescue, 1st Look, and Open House.

  Other
  Source
• 2009WNBC launches NBC New York Nonstop with LXTV programming

  Following the shutdown of NBC Weather Plus, WNBC introduced NBC New York Nonstop, using LXTV programming alongside local information, news, and lifestyle content.

  Other
  Source
• 2008NBC acquires LXTV

  NBC's owned television-stations operation acquired LXTV, bringing the digital-originated lifestyle producer into NBC's station and broadcast-content portfolio.

  M&A
  Source

1. LXTV