The Paley Center for Media

The Paley Center for Media is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates The Paley Museum in New York and leads discussions on the cultural significance of media. It draws upon curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the media community to examine the intersections between media and society. The institution was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley and previously operated as the Museum of Television & Radio and the Museum of Broadcasting.

The museum is located at 25 West 52 Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Visitors can reach it via multiple subway lines including the E, F, N, R, W, 1, B, D, or M trains to nearby stations. The facility also hosts events in Los Angeles, and its archive is accessible at the Beverly Hills Public Library in addition to the main museum location.

The museum operates from Wednesdays through Sundays between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm, with the PaleyGX Gaming Studio closing early at 3:30 pm on specific dates. Certain days like November 13 and 19 feature no screenings in the Bennack Theater, while other dates have adjusted start or end times for shows. The Library remains open during regular museum hours, and the PaleyGX studio closes early on November 14 and 22 with specific operating windows.

Admission is free for Paley Members and their guests, while general admission costs $20 for adults. Students, teachers, seniors, first responders, and veterans receive a reduced rate of $16, and children 12 and under enter for free. Members can also become members on the day of their visit to apply the admission cost toward their membership fee.

The Paley Archive contains over 160,000 television and radio programs, advertisements, and other materials spanning more than a century of media history. The archive is supported in part by a Federal Save America’s Treasures grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Additionally, the center's programs are funded by the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The museum offers a variety of activities including the Paley Podcast Studio where participants record, write, and edit their own audio stories. The Conversation with a Curator series explores media and history with in-house experts, while the Bennack Theater hosts screenings from the archive. Other programs include From Storytime to Screentime for kids, Paley Re-creating Radio workshops, and the Minecraft Build Challenge.

The PaleyGX Gaming Studio provides free access to individual and family members and above, offering gaming and VR experiences. The studio operates on a specific schedule, closing early on certain days like November 14 and 22, with screenings starting at 1:00 pm or later depending on the date. It is designed to be always free for eligible members.

The museum has been named The City’s Best “Best Museum” and “Best Children’s Party Place” for three years running according to its own website. It is a respected organization that provides best-in-class events in both New York and Los Angeles, drawing upon its curatorial expertise and international collection.

Recent reviews from December 2023 highlight the user-friendly website, knowledgeable staff, and valuable resources for media professionals. Users frequently praise the informative content, well-organized structure, and friendly assistance provided by the team. The overall Trustburn rating is 3.9 out of 5 based on 11 reviews, with many noting the wealth of information available.

Some users on Reddit mention the 45th Anniversary Pac-Man exhibit as a nice tribute with playable cabinets and a marathon of cartoons. Others discuss historical events like the Jackie Gleason Show incident or the Paley Honors Fall Gala featuring celebrities like Harrison Ford and Melissa McCarthy. These discussions reflect the museum's role in preserving media history and hosting industry events.

The museum hosts exclusive Industry Conversations for Media Council Members, such as talks with Ken Chenault, Jamie Iannone, Gary Vaynerchuk, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. These events take place in November 2026 in New York and Los Angeles, offering insights into business and media trends.

The museum provides a free Bloomberg Connects app to enhance the visitor experience by showing what is happening during the visit and exploring current exhibitions. The app guides users through the experience in real time and is available for download to see current programs and helpful information.

The museum offers career and internship opportunities in New York and volunteer opportunities in both New York and Los Angeles. The administration includes a diverse leadership team with roles ranging from Chief Programming Officer to General Counsel, ensuring comprehensive management of the institution's operations.

The museum's website states that it uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance and personalize the user experience, analyze website use, and conduct marketing. For more information about these technologies, visitors are directed to the Privacy Policy page.

The official website of The Paley Center for Media is media.paleycenter.org.