Networks at war
by Jessica Hesslam
DNN Reports!
Friday, Apr. 3, 2009
NBC says it will strip WHDH-TV (Ch. 7) of its network affiliation if the Boston station goes ahead with its plan to add a 10 p.m. newscast to its lineup and bump Bay State native Jay Leno from his new prime-time slot.
“WHDH’s move is a flagrant violation of the terms of their contract with NBC,” said John Eck, president of the NBC TV Network. “If they persist, we will strip WHDH of its NBC affiliation. We have a number of other strong options in the Boston market, including using our existing broadcast license to launch an NBC-owned and operated station.”
Rick Cotton, NBC Universal’s general counsel, said “it is clear that WHDH is contractually required to air NBC programming as scheduled by the network.”
Channel 7 announced yesterday that it plans to add an hourlong 10 p.m. newscast in September. WHDH, an NBC affiliate owned by Sunbeam, plans to continue to broadcast its tanking 11 p.m. news, which has fallen to third place.
Owner Ed Ansin didn’t return a call last night and general manager Chris Wayland refused to answer questions.NBC has a number of strong options in the Boston market, and owns and operates Telemundo, said a source close to the situation. NBC could move its programming to Telemundo or an independent station interested in becoming an NBC affiliate.
San Francisco station KRON-TV walked away from its NBC affiliation several years ago and its parent company recently filed for bankruptcy.
Channel 7 sister station, WLVI -TV (Ch.56), a CW affiliate, already has a 10 p.m. newscast but it has failed to come close to the number of viewers that tune into FOX 25’s powerhouse 10 p.m. news.
NBC will strip WHDH-TV of its NBC affiliation if they
bump Jay Leno from his prime-time slot. (TV Vid photo)
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