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New England Cable News

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New England Cable News (NECN)
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersNewton, Massachusetts
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerComcast

New England Cable News (NECN) is a regional cable television network owned and operated by Comcast serving the New England region of the United States. It is very similar to CNN in structure and style, but focuses more on regional news. The channel is also similar to Northwest Cable News, which covers the Pacific Northwest. Its main studios are located in Newton, Massachusetts, but operates several news bureaus in the New England area, including Manchester, New Hampshire; Hartford, Connecticut; Worcester, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; and Burlington, Vermont. New England Cable News maintains a remote camera in the Boston Globe building in the Dorchester section of Boston as well as a camera in the television studio of Suffolk University in downtown Boston. New England Cable News is available across New England in 3.7 million homes and produces several original programs. The station launched its own website on January 1, 2008, although it still provides video to Boston.com, which had hosted the station's site.

History

NECN was launched March 2, 1992, as a joint partnership between Continental Cablevision (now part of Comcast) and the Hearst Corporation. On June 18, 2009, Hearst sold Comcast its stake in NECN. Comcast made NECN part of their Comcast SportsNet subsidiary.[1]

Because NECN was formerly jointly owned by Comcast and Hearst Corporation, it used the resources of several New England stations owned and operated by Hearst-Argyle to assist in news coverage of the region. The Hearst-Argyle stations include nearby ABC affiliate WCVB, in Needham; New Hampshire's ABC affiliate WMUR; ABC affiliate WMTW in Portland (NECN maintains a news bureau within the same building as WMTW, though the operations are physically separate, and uses vehicles with NECN signage locally in Maine); and WPTZ and WNNE, Vermont's two NBC affiliates. As of June 18, 2009, it is unclear how long this partnership with Hearst-Argyle for additional resources will continue.

NECN employs some of the long-lived veterans of the Boston television market, including R. D. Sahl and Chet Curtis. The station is also a training ground for local news reporters. Some of the better-known reporters who got their start at NECN include ABC's Dan Harris, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, and CNBC's Maya Kulycky. Several of Boston's current television reporters and anchors also began at NECN.

In addition to its cable production operations, it has also produced 10 p.m. newscasts for two other Boston television stations: the first Fox 25 News at 10, on WFXT from 1993–1995, and UPN 38 Prime News, on WSBK from 1995–1998 (with intermission updates during Boston Bruins games continuing for a time afterward). Both outside productions were cancelled by NECN management. NECN helps produce Worcester News Tonight on Charter TV3 in Worcester.

Comcast systems generally carry NECN as part of the limited basic tier, usually on a VHF channel (channel 6 in most Metro Boston communities). It is also seen on Verizon FiOS on channel 115 as part of its Prime HD tier, and on RCN on channel 318 as part of its Signature package. Most other cable systems in New England carry it, with the exception of Cox. The service is not available on satellite.

On January 18, 2010, NECN launched an HD version on Comcast systems. Although NECN-SD is generally part of limited basic, it appears one needs to subscribe to the Digital Starter Tier to get NECN-HD. Other systems that currently carry NECN-SD do not have NECN-HD. Most Boston area viewers that subscribe to Comcast's Digital Starter tier can get NECN-HD on Channel 810.

Newscasts

  • NECN Morning - Monday-Friday 4:30-9:00 a.m.

An early look at all the day's headlines, plus interviews with top news-makers, real-time Metro Traffic reports, and weather with Meteorologist Danielle Niles. This show is co-anchored by Karen Swensen and Mike Nikitas.

  • NECN Today - Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Anchor Leslie Gaydos and Meteorologist Daneille Niles.

  • NECN Today - Monday-Friday 4:00-6:00 p.m

The show is co-anchored by Beth Shelburne and Leslie Gaydos Monday through Thursday, and by Shelburne and Ally Donnelly on Fridays. Meteorologist Matt Noyes provides New England's best weather forecast. "Broadside" host Jim Braude is a regular contributor, offering opinion and analysis on the most important stories of the day.

  • Broadside with Jim Braude - Monday-Friday 6:00 p.m.

Jim Braude explores all angles of the news that affects New Englanders. Also covered are topics relating to culture, business, education and technology.

  • Right Now with R.D. Sahl - Monday-Friday 7:00 p.m.

A look at the news from a New England view, hosted by R.D. and Meteorologist Matt Noyes with weather.

  • NECN Tonight - Monday-Friday 9:00-10:00 p.m., 10:00-11:00 p.m., 12:00-1:00 a.m.

NECN's signature and primary newscast is a 60-minute show exploring the latest from New England, the nation and the world. It features a nightly in-depth report, "The Cover Story". Anchors Beth Shelburne and R.D. Sahl are joined by Chris Collins of ComcastSportsNet, and NECN Meteorologist Matt Noyes.

  • NECN Weekend - Saturday-Sunday 6:00a.m. & 12:00p.m.
  • NECN Weekend - Saturday-Sunday 5:00p.m., 6:00p.m., 8:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.

Anchor Kristy Lee brings you the weekend headlines; Meteorologist Tim Kelly has your weekend weather forecast.

Other programming

  • The Secret Life of Animals - Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.

Host Vicki Croke explores the wonders of the animal world, from the pets in our homes to wild animals around the globe.

  • NECN Business - Monday-Friday 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.

Anchors R.D. Sahl, Beth Shelburne and Chet Curtis examine the state of the markets, news of New England businesses and the local economy. Personal finance, investing, consumer news, advertising, mutual funds, the web, high technology, bio-technology, emerging industries, and established New England companies will all be examined in the larger context of the national and international economic landscapes.

  • TV Diner - Weekdays (except Wed.) 7:30 p.m. & Saturdays 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

TV Diner reviews interesting restaurants in New England. Guest chefs and celebrities whip up goodies, and the Crusin' segment takes you into the field to visit restaurants and learn some tricks of the food trade. Plus, one lucky viewer each week becomes a "Diner for a Day", reviewing a restaurant and appearing on the show to tell all the delicious details.

  • styleboston - Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

styleboston integrates fashion, design, travel, nightlife, business and leisure content from Boston and beyond. This show is independently produced.

  • CEO Corner - Mondays 8:30-9:00 p.m.

Maryanne Kane hosts this half hour program which features interviews and discussion with New England’s key business leaders.

  • CSN Sportsnet Central - Monday-Sunday 11:00-11:30 p.m.

A sports news and daily wrap up program similar to ESPN's Sports Center.

  • New England Dream House - Sundays 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.; Monday-Friday 3:00 p.m.

Host Jenny Johnson takes you on a tour of some of the most beautiful homes in New England, explaining the architecture and design philosophy of the homes, and highlighting the craftsmanship and artisans who helped make them extraordinary. Plus, viewers get great decorating and home improvement ideas and find unique products and services to make their own homes dream houses.

  • Jay Carr's Screening Room - Fourth Saturday of each month at 10:30 p.m. and the fourth Sunday of each month at 10:30 p.m.

Jay Carr's Screening Room takes viewers into the fun and exciting world of the movies. NECN film critic Jay Carr reviews all the latest movies coming to theaters and DVD.

  • This Week in Business - Sundays 12:30 p.m.

This Week in Business examines the business stories affecting the region. Co-hosted by NECN anchor Mike Nikitas and Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Guzzi, this program also showcases many of New England's most important and influential business, technology and government leaders.

News team

Former on-air talent

  • Tom Ellis - anchor, weekend anchor (1992–2009)
  • Marjorie Clapprood, host "The Marjorie Clapprood Show" (1992–1993)
  • Margie Reedy - anchor
  • Doug Meehan - reporter (1992-1995)
  • Joe Joyce - meteorologist (now at WBZ-TV)
  • Sports reporters Chris Collins and Mike Giardi (now with sister station Comcast SportsNet New England)

References

  1. ^ Comcast assumes full ownership of NECN


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