Live in Boston? Looking for NBC? Here's a guide

[Lose Remerswaal]

because as of January 1, as we learned in this other thread, Channel 7 is no longer going to be the local NBC affiliate but will instead be an independent station.

Yesterday's Globe had a good article with some of the background to this switch and a guide as to where you can find NBC and NECN starting in about 60 days time.


Since I know many of you have already used up your free allotment of Globe articles looking for CHB articles to rage at, here are the nuts. And the bolts.

If you want to watch the new NBC Boston station on Jan. 1, pay close attention.

Over-the-air viewers will find the station on Channel 8, while many cable and satellite subscribers (Comcast, Dish, and DirecTV) will need to tune to Channel 10. As for Verizon Fios or RCN customers, NBC is still negotiating the number with those providers. That means everyone check your local listings.

Confused? It’s one downside of the network’s decision to drop its longtime affiliation with WHDH-TV (Channel 7). The shakeup — the biggest in the local TV market in two decades — will also affect some cable subscribers who watch New England Cable News. The high-definition version of NBC Boston will appear on channel 810, which currently broadcasts the HD version of NECN. That version of NECN will move to channel 840 starting on Dec. 1. Cable giant Comcast Corp. owns both NBC and NECN.

WHDH’s broadcast signal reaches 7.1 million viewers over the air. To try to match WHDH’s coverage, NBC will broadcast from two locations: WNEU (Channel 60) out of Merrimack, N.H., and WBTS (Channel 8) out of Needham. NBC Boston will share a signal with WNEU, which is owned by Comcast and currently broadcasts Spanish-language network Telemundo Boston. NBC Boston recently acquired a Needham transmitter to establish WBTS.

To prepare over-the-air viewers for the switch from Channel 7, NBC on Nov. 10 will broadcast “Countdown NBC Boston” on Channel 8. During that time, viewers will need to rescan their television or set-top boxes to add Channel 8 or 8.2 to their lineup. Instructions can be found on NBCBoston.com, which will also launch on Nov. 10.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

Well, 8.1 and 8.2 on my TV at least on my TV. Good news that it's now moving so far down the dial, assuming you can pick up channel 8 OTA in Boston.

 

[8slim]

This is kind of fascinating to me. So will this new WBTS Chanel 8 have any local programming? Or will it strictly only be on the air when NBC runs it's national broadcasts?

 

[pjr]

From the article referenced in the first post,

"NBC will announce the arrangements on Tuesday, along with new local programming and newscast lineups. The station will feature seven local newscasts starting weekdays at 4:30 a.m. through 11:30 p.m., as well as the debut of a daily lifestyle program called “The Hub Today” and Sunday public affairs show “This is New England.” The new station will also have consumer and investigative units.
NBC Boston will also carry the network’s signature programs such as “The Today Show,” “NBC Nightly News,” “Sunday Night Football,” and “The Voice.”

 

[8slim]

From the article referenced in the first post,

"NBC will announce the arrangements on Tuesday, along with new local programming and newscast lineups. The station will feature seven local newscasts starting weekdays at 4:30 a.m. through 11:30 p.m., as well as the debut of a daily lifestyle program called “The Hub Today” and Sunday public affairs show “This is New England.” The new station will also have consumer and investigative units.
NBC Boston will also carry the network’s signature programs such as “The Today Show,” “NBC Nightly News,” “Sunday Night Football,” and “The Voice.”

Thanks.

 

[the1andonly3003]

will NECN simulcast the NBC Boston local newscasts?