Friday, April 3rd, 2009
#Leno: Banned in Boston?
Looks like Jay Leno may get spurned in his hometown market.
With Boston’s WHDH-TV Channel 7 refusing to air Leno’s new talk show this fall in the 10 p.m. slot, a battle is brewing between 7 and NBC Television Network. On the one hand, you’ve got 7’s Owner Ed Ansin complaining that Leno’s show won’t be effective in prime time. He’s also worried he’s going to lose a ton of money, and points out that his Miami Fox affiliate does great at the 10 p.m. slot. On the other hand, you’ve got NBC threatening to strip Channel 7 of its NBC affiliation.
The battle is far from over. And no doubt the lawyers are about to enter the fray, which will result in a protracted legal battle. While this is clearly an economic issue for Channel 7, it also points out a larger truth: There’s nothing like a pitched battle with big names to draw ratings for your own station. Picture this-- Breathless Channel 7 hound dog Dan Hausle, live in the newsroom, reporting how his own station is thumbing its nose at the network. There would be report upon report stating how 7’s very existence is being threatened. Ratings, anyone?
We’ll have to wait and see how this plays out in the coming days and weeks. But there’s another pressing question I’d ask Jay Leno himself. So, Jay, how does it feel to be dissed in your hometown?