TBD Launches

Ada Polla, Mary Bird and Lynly Boor

The rumors and whisperings amongst Washington media types, journos, producers, reporters, and those in the know and those wanting to be in the know and those thinking they were in the know, were rockin’ for months.  There was something big coming from across the river in the former Gannett building turned WJLA/POLITICO/Allbritton Communications Company media giant found in Rosslyn.  The rumblings started in late winter, I recall that.  “There’s going to be an announcement coming (ala Jon Stewart-style).  Believe me, it’s going to be big!”

Well, it’s finally here.  It crept up quietly and then tah-dah.  TBD aka To Be Determined, Discussed, Defined, what have you, is the mesh of news presented to you via digital and traditional platforms-in other words by internet and television.

TBD’s mission as stated on the its site: TBD is a TV station and website that delivers local news and community information from the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. region. TBD’s integrated newsroom brings together reporters, editors, producers, and community-outreach specialists to produce original journalism; highlight news and information from other media outlets and blogs; and engage our audience in a dialogue on news and culture in the Washington area.

The crowd

In essence, TBD is looking to be the biggest and best outlet in the region that hand delivers up the second accurate information to you 24/7.  That’s quite a challenge to take on in this market, but they do know how to do a launch party.  An open bar, huge spread and TBD caps for all were part of the fun Tuesday evening at the event which was held in Georgetown at Billy Martin’s Tavern and hosted by The Georgetown Dish.  Some of the notables were Sally Quinn, The Dish’s Beth Solomon, Billy Martin himself, and a very sweaty newly engaged Councilman Jack Evans who had just finished running his daily 5 miles.

Beth Solomon and Jack Evans

Check out TBD yourself: www.tbd.com