NBC/9 (just a prediction)

[BoscoGoldBear]

Not as far off as suggesting that at least one of the Boston music stations play about 5 hours worth of party (i.e. disco) music on the weekends - I mean not everyone in Boston is a headbanger, but that's a separate post. We know that NBC owns channel 60, and we also know that most (if not all) TV stations around here will technically have an UHF number as of June 12. That having been said, I'm not sure that NBC has enough pull with Comcrap to switch 60 to a more desired lower channel assignment because after all Fox 25 is still on 25 in the Boston Comcrap system after all these years, although I'm aware that most of the burbies have Fox 25 at 13 on Comcrap, but I digress. (BTW, on my DirecTV channel 60 would remain channel 60.) On top of that, NBC wants NO repeat of what happened to CBS in Detroit, which had to take a crappy channel number (62) and has been ranked consistently in 5th or 6th place behind the 5 established stations (even 20 beats it on occasion).

With that in mind, I do believe that NBC will come to Hearst/WCVB with a healthy 9 figure $ amount (especially in this crap economy) - no, not to buy channel 5, but to buy co-owned channel 9 (but NOT WMUR), move channel 60 to WMUR in Manchester (WMUR becomes the NEW channel 60), and of course move channel 9 to as close as the FCC will allow. Given that NY's 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 are all on the same transmitter location (Empire State), there should be little to no problem moving 9 much closer to Boston (just give the new 9 a license city of Lowell). NH will still have its "VHF" station (11), so the Feds won't mind so much. Like it or not, you need a VHF (or a virtual one anyway) to compete in the Boston market. NBC would wind up bearing ALL the 9 and 60 moving costs plus it would GIVE Hearst 60 for free. And don't forget all of the marketing ads on the financially-struggling MBTA plus Crap Channel (billboards) and constant help ($$$$$) from Comcrap.

Here's how I project the new metro Boston channel alignment (virtual if NOT technical):

2 - PBS
4 - CBS
5 - ABC
7 - My

9 - NBC

11 - PBS (NH)
25 - Fox
27 - Uni
38 - CW (what, you think CBS will put up with Ansin's crap?)
44 - PBS
50 - Infomercials or Tele
56 - Independent (or Infomercials)
60 - ABC (NH)
66 - TF
68 - Pax

As far fetched as this seems, this is still a far more likely scenario than party music for mainstream adults like me on a Boston station.

 

[bostonmediaguy]

38 - CW (what, you think CBS will put up with Ansin's crap?)

Yes, I do. The CW moving to Channel 7 is more likely. The two female principal news anchors at WHDH is also perfect for the female-skewing CW network.

 

[Kenny Atkinson]

38 - CW (what, you think CBS will put up with Ansin's crap?)

Yes, I do. The CW moving to Channel 7 is more likely. The two female principal news anchors at WHDH is also perfect for the female-skewing CW network.

I'm sure WHDH will cave in on this.But for Kicks and giggles if WHDH loses it's NBC affiliation the following could happen.

I will run with WSBK becoming an NBC affilliate first.

WSBK- NBC ( I think WSBK could be a very good affiliate (NBC-38)

WHDH-CW (For WHDH to have to go with CW would be an insult)

WLVI- Independent or a flip to "MY"

 

[bostonmediaguy]

38 - CW (what, you think CBS will put up with Ansin's crap?)

Yes, I do. The CW moving to Channel 7 is more likely. The two female principal news anchors at WHDH is also perfect for the female-skewing CW network.

I'm sure WHDH will cave in on this.But for Kicks and giggles if WHDH loses it's NBC affiliation the following could happen.

I will run with WSBK becoming an NBC affilliate first.

WSBK- NBC ( I think WSBK could be a very good affiliate (NBC-38)

WHDH-CW (For WHDH to have to go with CW would be an insult)

WLVI- Independent or a flip to "MY"

I just don't see CBS selling a duopoly station and I certainly don't see them running an NBC affiliate.

 

[pqgeorge]

Not as far off as suggesting that at least one of the Boston music stations play about 5 hours worth of party (i.e. disco) music on the weekends - I mean not everyone in Boston is a headbanger, but that's a separate post. We know that NBC owns channel 60, and we also know that most (if not all) TV stations around here will technically have an UHF number as of June 12. That having been said, I'm not sure that NBC has enough pull with Comcrap to switch 60 to a more desired lower channel assignment because after all Fox 25 is still on 25 in the Boston Comcrap system after all these years, although I'm aware that most of the burbies have Fox 25 at 13 on Comcrap, but I digress. (BTW, on my DirecTV channel 60 would remain channel 60.) On top of that, NBC wants NO repeat of what happened to CBS in Detroit, which had to take a crappy channel number (62) and has been ranked consistently in 5th or 6th place behind the 5 established stations (even 20 beats it on occasion).

With that in mind, I do believe that NBC will come to Hearst/WCVB with a healthy 9 figure $ amount (especially in this crap economy) - no, not to buy channel 5, but to buy co-owned channel 9 (but NOT WMUR), move channel 60 to WMUR in Manchester (WMUR becomes the NEW channel 60), and of course move channel 9 to as close as the FCC will allow. Given that NY's 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 are all on the same transmitter location (Empire State), there should be little to no problem moving 9 much closer to Boston (just give the new 9 a license city of Lowell). NH will still have its "VHF" station (11), so the Feds won't mind so much. Like it or not, you need a VHF (or a virtual one anyway) to compete in the Boston market. NBC would wind up bearing ALL the 9 and 60 moving costs plus it would GIVE Hearst 60 for free. And don't forget all of the marketing ads on the financially-struggling MBTA plus Crap Channel (billboards) and constant help ($$$$$) from Comcrap.

Here's how I project the new metro Boston channel alignment (virtual if NOT technical):

2 - PBS
4 - CBS
5 - ABC
7 - My

9 - NBC

11 - PBS (NH)
25 - Fox
27 - Uni
38 - CW (what, you think CBS will put up with Ansin's crap?)
44 - PBS
50 - Infomercials or Tele
56 - Independent (or Infomercials)
60 - ABC (NH)
66 - TF
68 - Pax

As far fetched as this seems, this is still a far more likely scenario than party music for mainstream adults like me on a Boston station.

As for Channel 9.... I don't see them moving to NBC or change channels. Manchester is a secondary market and WMUR has been an ABC affiliate since day one. Channel 9 basically serves the entire state of New Hampshire and widely regarded as the "station of record" in NH, especially when it comes to politics. I don't think anyone, in his or her own right mind, would ever mess up something that works quite well like WMUR-TV.

 

[Davros2006]

If WHDH loses the NBC affiliation, it will impact the Canadian cable companies (and Bell TV) that carry it. They may drop WHDH and replace it with another NBC affiliate.

 

[Kenny Atkinson]

38 - CW (what, you think CBS will put up with Ansin's crap?)

Yes, I do. The CW moving to Channel 7 is more likely. The two female principal news anchors at WHDH is also perfect for the female-skewing CW network.

I'm sure WHDH will cave in on this.But for Kicks and giggles if WHDH loses it's NBC affiliation the following could happen.

I will run with WSBK becoming an NBC affilliate first.

WSBK- NBC ( I think WSBK could be a very good affiliate (NBC-38)

WHDH-CW (For WHDH to have to go with CW would be an insult)

WLVI- Independent or a flip to "MY"

The strangest part of this is Jay Leno is A Massachusetts native.So why wouldnt you want to run the damn show.

 

[LA_Guy]

Why would they want channel 9 when they already HAVE channel 10?

AGAIN I say-WWDP's digital signal is on CHANNEL TEN! They already own a decent size piece of WWDP and they also LMA it. They could put NBC on it TOMORROW!! There's nothing to stop them from moving it to the tower just west of 95 in Foxboro and improving its coverage either. Solid state VHF transmitters work FINE with single phase power. They might even be able to move it to Needham. Actually, their signal is pretty damn good where it is!

You have to stop thinking WWDP channel 46 and START thinking WWDP channel 10!

Also, consider that channel 9 is owned by Hearst Argyle, who also owns WCVB. Do you really think that ABC would allow them to (also) own the NBC affiliate in Boston?

NBC on channel 38 isn't going to happen either for the same reason-CBS owns channel 38.

I predict that Leno will wind up on channel 56.

 

[tripinva]

They can't move it to Needham. Too close to 9 and 11.

I don't think that WWDP signal is as good as you think it is. Evidence suggests VHF signals don't so well digitally in a number of cases.

- Trip

 

[pqgeorge]

They can't move it to Needham. Too close to 9 and 11.

I don't think that WWDP signal is as good as you think it is. Evidence suggests VHF signals don't so well digitally in a number of cases.

- Trip

If you're talking about VHF-lo (Channels 2-6) being not as desirable for digital propagation, you are correct. It's totally useless. However, VHF-hi (Channels 7-13) should cover rather nicely. It is not as so-directional as UHF, in terms of receive antennas. With UHF, you must aim as close as possible toward the transmitter site, otherwise you may lose it. VHF-hi, on the other hand, is a little bit more "forgiving". If you're a little "off" in terms of directionality, no biggie. The WWDP signal is rather good, compared to the old Channel 52 DTV. I think the new Channel 10 signal would be adequate for OTA NBC coverage. Since WWDP has the cable and satellite coverage already there, they could go NBC at anytime. Considering the rather adversarial relationship between WHDH and NBC, I wouldn't be surprised if Channel 7 loses NBC.

 

[tripinva]

No argument on low-VHF (first-hand experience on that front), but I don't think there's a simple answer about upper-VHF yet. I've heard about plenty of upper-VHF stations having reception issues while others seem to be fine.

WEAU, WREX, KTTC, KWWL, WVNY. Off the top of my head, those are the ones I've read the most complaints about I think. UHF digitals were fine with any UHF antenna, the VHF digitals don't work nearly as well even with some pretty impressive VHF antennas. KMBC just abandoned their VHF digital for UHF because of signal complaints and their channel 7 digital was operating at 85 kW.

On the other hand, there are others that seem to do alright. I heard good reports about test transmissions from WLS, KGO, KSTW, WHYY. (Again, off the top of my head)

I keep trying to find a pattern and can't. UHF reception seems pretty consistent in that it's pretty easy as long as you're not terrain-blocked. Upper-VHF reception... it works in some cases and not in others.

- Trip

 

[Garrett]

They can't move it to Needham. Too close to 9 and 11.

I don't think that WWDP signal is as good as you think it is. Evidence suggests VHF signals don't so well digitally in a number of cases.

- Trip

If you're talking about VHF-lo (Channels 2-6) being not as desirable for digital propagation, you are correct. It's totally useless. However, VHF-hi (Channels 7-13) should cover rather nicely. It is not as so-directional as UHF, in terms of receive antennas. With UHF, you must aim as close as possible toward the transmitter site, otherwise you may lose it. VHF-hi, on the other hand, is a little bit more "forgiving". If you're a little "off" in terms of directionality, no biggie. The WWDP signal is rather good, compared to the old Channel 52 DTV. I think the new Channel 10 signal would be adequate for OTA NBC coverage. Since WWDP has the cable and satellite coverage already there, they could go NBC at anytime. Considering the rather adversarial relationship between WHDH and NBC, I wouldn't be surprised if Channel 7 loses NBC.

Knowing Peter's experience with the subject, this is absolutely the best prediction I have read! Yeah, I think that not only will NBC yank affiliation, I believe that this is what Ansin wants. C'mon, do you really think WHDH doesn't know better? Just look at the changes they are making with their news anchors. Letting Randy go, and replacing with two female anchors? Refusing to run Leno? When you put the pieces of the puzzle together, a picture takes shape: Ansin thinks CW is the next Fox network, and with NBC in 4th place, he's ready to take the risk just like he did in Miami. CW will go on 7, MyTV will go to 56, and don't think that both those networks aren't pulling strings behind the scenes! Especially knowing Ansin's relationship with Fox in Miami to begin with.

Factor in that NBC OWNS A STATION IN BOSTON? And yes, I do think CBS would consider selling 38 if NBC offers the right amount. They've made deals before, and NBC has an O & O on Channel 39 in San Diego, a very similar market! YUP, this may not be a done deal, but it's as close to a slam dunk as you can get. Don't expect to be watching The Office on WHDH come June!

 

[chitchatjf]

My three cents:

a)There is NO MORE Channel 60. It is channel 34 now. WNEU does NOT map its digital signal.

b)The most logical new home for NBC would be WSBK. They have an HD signal and HD coverage on cable. Going digital does not mean going HD. (Even if NBC went to channel 34,they would still have to put up an HD channel and get coverage)

c)Simple compromise solution Air a HALF HOUR newscast at 10pm followed by Jay at 1030. Let WLVI do a SEPARATE HOUR long newscast.

 

[Davros2006]

Another thing I didn't realize until just now: Most Canadian cable carriers consider WSBK as a "superstation", usually included in a premium tier of channels (carriage on basic cable is rare from what I know), while Bell includes that station in its movie package. This could get much more complicated on the Canadian side of the border.

 

[bostonmediaguy]

Factor in that NBC OWNS A STATION IN BOSTON? And yes, I do think CBS would consider selling 38 if NBC offers the right amount. They've made deals before, and NBC has an O & O on Channel 39 in San Diego, a very similar market! YUP, this may not be a done deal, but it's as close to a slam dunk as you can get. Don't expect to be watching The Office on WHDH come June!

What does CBS gain from the sale, though? There's too much to lose; not the least of which is the new deal cut with the Patriots to air preseason games and the post-game show that airs on TV38 when CBS has a double-header.

NBC could get the HD signal and coverage on cable quite easily; I'm sure that there's already a clause in their rights deals for the NBC/Universal cable properties.

 

[KML0224]

In my opinion, WMUR-TV/DT will NOT change a thing. Throwing away their total domination of the Granite State after 55 years would be downright foolish.

One other factor limiting the chances of WMUR ever moving closer to Boston: WEDN-DT (PBS) of Norwich, CT is on channel 9.

All kidding aside...wouldn't this be a fun time to make New Hampshire it's own market?

 

[w9wi]

Not as far off as suggesting that at least one of the Boston music stations play about 5 hours worth of party (i.e. disco) music on the weekends - I mean not everyone in Boston is a headbanger, but that's a separate post. We know that NBC owns channel 60, and we also know that most (if not all) TV stations around here will technically have an UHF number as of June 12.

7 and 9 will run their permanent digitals on 7 and 9; 46's digital has (as I understand it) already moved to its permanent channel 10.

On top of that, NBC wants NO repeat of what happened to CBS in Detroit, which had to take a crappy channel number (62) and has been ranked consistently in 5th or 6th place behind the 5 established stations (even 20 beats it on occasion).

I think some of WWJ's problem is CBS's own fault. CBS-58 isn't doing half-bad in Milwaukee, despite a channel assignment nearly as bad and no more history in the market than WWJ. Let Weigel run "NBC-60 Boston" & I'll bet they could make it work.....

With that in mind, I do believe that NBC will come to Hearst/WCVB with a healthy 9 figure $ amount (especially in this crap economy) - no, not to buy channel 5, but to buy co-owned channel 9 (but NOT WMUR), move channel 60 to WMUR in Manchester (WMUR becomes the NEW channel 60), and of course move channel 9 to as close as the FCC will allow. Given that NY's 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 are all on the same transmitter location (Empire State), there should be little to no problem moving 9 much closer to Boston (just give the new 9 a license city of Lowell).

WMUR can't move to Lowell (or anywhere else besides Manchester). It's the only full-power TV station licensed to Manchester and you can't delete a city's only full-power channel.

From a technical standpoint I think WEDN in Norwich, Connecticut would be the problem with moving WMUR any further south.

 

[mescutia]

All kidding aside...wouldn't this be a fun time to make New Hampshire it's own market?

Yup!

Here's a crazy idea: NBC buys the remaining 63% of WWDP and makes it an O&O... but also buys WPXG in Concord, NH, from Ion/Paxson and makes that station a satellite of WWDP, only with its own branding and localized commercials.

 

[taylorjsdad]

Re: Why would they want channel 9 when they already HAVE channel 10?

AGAIN I say-WWDP's digital signal is on CHANNEL TEN! They already own a decent size piece of WWDP and they also LMA it. They could put NBC on it TOMORROW!! There's nothing to stop them from moving it to the tower just west of 95 in Foxboro and improving its coverage either. Solid state VHF transmitters work FINE with single phase power. They might even be able to move it to Needham. Actually, their signal is pretty damn good where it is!

You have to stop thinking WWDP channel 46 and START thinking WWDP channel 10!

Also, consider that channel 9 is owned by Hearst Argyle, who also owns WCVB. Do you really think that ABC would allow them to (also) own the NBC affiliate in Boston?

NBC on channel 38 isn't going to happen either for the same reason-CBS owns channel 38.

I predict that Leno will wind up on channel 56.

Gannett owns both the ABC and NBC affiliates in the Jacksonville market.

 

[PaulRAnderson]

Please don't take away the only station that covers news in the state of New Hampshire by making it the NBC affiliate for Boston.

Although I don't think any solution other than a full Boston signal would suffice for NBC, with a combination of cable channel position and over-the-air digital signals, moving NBC to a 46 or 60 would not be as bad as doing so when rimshot UHF stations had a disadvantage.

If only there wasn't an NBC affiliate in Springfield, you could put NBC on 27 in Worcester, all parties willing.

I also like the idea of NBC on both 21 and 46. 21's analog signal is killer and can only assume their digital signal will be the same.

Or just put Leno on 56.

Paul