The Paley Center for Media Announces Its First 2024 PaleyLive NY Program: Miracle on the Hudson: How “Sully” and Flight 1549 Inspired a Nation

The PaleyLive NY Event Will Reunite Captain C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger, Flight 1549 Passengers, and Other Key Figures from the Historic “Miracle on the Hudson” Including Passengers Barry Leonard and Pam Seagle, First Responder Dr. Hilda Roque, Sully Producer Allyn Stewart, and Journalist Katie Couric

New York, NY, December 11, 2023 – The Paley Center for Media announced today the first selection to its 2024 PaleyLive NY series: Miracle on the Hudson: How “Sully” and Flight 1549 Inspired a Nation. This fifteenth anniversary commemoration of one of the most memorable media moments of the 21 st century will take place on Thursday, January 11, at 6:30 pm, at The Paley Museum located at 25 West 52 Street.

Fifteen years ago, Captain C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger instantly became an American hero and captivated the nation after he and First Officer, now Captain, Jeff Skiles miraculously landed US Airways Flight 1549 safely in the Hudson River and saved all 155 people on board. The heroic act was covered around the world —serving as one of the first major news stories where social media played a pivotal role—and was later memorialized in the hit motion picture Sully starring Tom Hanks. Ahead of the event’s 15th anniversary, the Paley Center is reuniting Captain Sullenberger, Flight 1549 passengers, and prominent broadcasters who covered the event, to share their memories and stories from that fateful day and to reflect on how the “Miracle on the Hudson” elevated the entire nation and forever changed their lives, the media, and the country.

Participating in the discussion will be Captain C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger, Pilot, US Airways Flight 1549; Katie Couric, Award-Winning Journalist; Cofounder, Katie Couric Media; Barry Leonard, Flight 1549 Passenger; Pam Seagle, Flight 1549 Passenger; Dr. Hilda Roque, First Responder; and Allyn Stewart, Producer, Sully.

“On January 15, 2009, the country witnessed an event that was nothing short of miraculous thanks to the brave actions of Captain Sullenberger and the crew of US Airways Flight 1549,” said Maureen J. Reidy, the Paley Center’s President & CEO. “The Paley Center is honored to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of this iconic and unifying moment in our nation’s history, and we look forward to what is certain to be a compelling conversation with Captain Sullenberger and other key figures who were a part of that unforgettable day.”

Tickets for this program on sale now to Paley President’s Circle, Patron Circle, and Partner Members; to Paley Individual, Family, and Supporting Members on December 13 at noon ET; and to the general public on December 14 at noon ET. For more information and to learn more about the benefits of Paley Center Membership including ticket presale and discounts please visit paleycenter.org/membership.

Media Contacts:
Teresa Brady, Director of Communications, The Paley Center for Media
tbrady@paleycenter.org – 212.621.6757

Hiltzik Strategies
PaleyCenter@hstrategies.com

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About The Paley Center for Media
The Paley Center for Media is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has proudly made its home in NYC for almost 50 years and operates the iconic Paley Museum. Through its respected programming, the Paley Center leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of media, drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the media community. The general public can participate in Paley programs in both New York and Los Angeles that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the talent, and the leaders who are shaping media. The public can also access the Paley Center's permanent media collection, The Paley Archive, often referred to as a national treasure, containing over 160,000 television and radio programs and advertisements. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information about The Paley Center for Media, and to learn about the Paley Center’s acclaimed programming, please visit paleycenter.org