CNBC began broadcasting from its new San Francisco Bureau at 1 Market earlier this week. We caught up with technology correspondent Josh Lipton about the new digs, how he got started in the industry and even the S.F. food scene.
TVNewser: Talk to us about CNBC’s new San Francisco Bureau.
Lipton: I’ve worked in journalism for 15 years, but I’ve never reported from a bureau that is this modern and cutting-edge. CNBC dedicated a tremendous amount of time and resources in creating a truly state-of-the-art broadcast facility.
The CNBC SF Bureau is also unique in that it’s a hybrid of all things broadcast and digital. In other words, we’re a multimedia operation not only reporting on-air, but also contributing online, shooting digital videos for CNBC.com, and of course tweeting night and day. By the way, if you’re not already, you should follow @CNBCTech for updates from #1Market!
Finally, in addition to the CNBC studio and staff, we also share the space with our partners at Re/code. So our viewers can expect to see a lot more of Kara Swisher and her team as well.
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TVNewser: How will being located near Silicon Valley help when it comes to reporting on technology?
Lipton: CNBC has operated a bureau in Silicon Valley since 2000, most recently in San Jose. While that city was once the hub of all things tech, the startup boom has radically changed the landscape, and the focus has certainly shifted to San Francisco. Our new home at 1 Market puts us right in the center of the action. If you walk down Market Street, you’ll find Twitter, Zendesk, and Uber. Walk down to SOMA, and you’ll find powerhouse startups such as Airbnb.
TVNewser: You were a print journalist before landing on TV. Was your original passion journalism, finance or did you simply want to be an on-air personality?
Lipton: I spent the first 10 years of my career as a print reporter, freelancing for Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal, among other publications. Then, while working for Forbes, I discovered my passion for business reporting. While there, I was lucky enough to work for some of the very best and brightest editors such as Matt Schifrin and John Dobosz (both still at Forbes) and Mitch Martin (now at Bloomberg). I formally jumped into broadcast while working at Bloomberg TV, and then made the big leap to CNBC, where I’ve been able to marry my interests in business and technology.
TVNewser: Better food city: NYC or San Fran?
Lipton: After leaving New York, I thought I’d never again enjoy great Italian food. I was dead wrong. Locanda serves the best prosciutto and lamb ragu I’ve had – ever. The burger at The Battery? Top-notch. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sorely miss the steak at Sparks in NYC.
TVNewser: Judging by your Twitter timeline, you’re a big sports fan. So who is going to win the World Series?
Lipton: I’m a very proud Bay Area native so this one is a no brainer: Go Giants!
Lipton also takes us behind-the-scenes with a time lapse video of the new bureau’s construction. Check it out: