As we start to talk about Local TV, I came across an article of an estranged affiliate-network relationship. WHDH-TV, the NBC affiliate in Boston, plans to preempt Jay Leno's upcoming news talk program with local news. Jay Leno's program is scheduled to air at 10 pm (9 Central), the same time that an hour local news show is being planned for WHDH. The NBC network is not happy and could ultimately remove WHDH's affiliation. WHDH's station manager cites higher potential ratings as reasons to preempt Jay Leno. However, NBC views their relationship with WHDH as contractual, and seems pretty determined to not let a rebel affiliate in a major market affect them. I think WHDH is making a name for them self, which may ultimately increase ratings. However, its hard to see WHDH coming out ahead and their rating could easily decline in the fall.
The link to the Boston Globe article of WHDH's plans:
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/04/03/whdh_tv_snubs_leno_as_10_pm_program/
An article of NBC's reaction to WHDH:
http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/04/nbc-leno-will-air-in-boston-one-way-or-another.html
1 comment:
Well Aaron, this is an interesting topic because I've always felt like this could happen more often than it does. It seems like relationships between affiliates and networks have the potential to disintegrate if people don't get along well. However, i think the money of the situation is what ultimately prevents more affiliates from doing things like that. Thus, like you said it will be a flip of the coin to see how it pans out for them. My guess is that at first it will benefit them, but in the long run it will hurt them. However, I think that they will always have a solid audience at that time from the people who enjoy the local WHDH news.
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