NHPTV Merger Forces Comcast Lineup Changes

Public television fans: Changes are coming to your Comcast cable TV lineup, starting Oct. 8.

As framed by NH Public Television in a press release, its new status as an "independent, community-licensed public broadcaster," means it has formed a new partnership with Boston affiliate, WGBH, to continue broadcasting its regular programming. 

The changes are prompted by legislation enacted July 1 by the NH State legislature, HB113, which cut funding to the public TV station by $2.7 million, a 30 percent reduction in its $8.8 million annual operating budget.

Bryan Christiansen of Comcast, who spoke about the changes during the August Cable Advisory Board meeting in Nashua, said that while the announcement "is a big doozy," for Nashua, the key is that the two stations are working to merge content without competing with one another for viewer-supported funding.

"They're trying to make the stations as universal as possible," Christiansen said adding that intead of overlap, the two stations would work together to maintain popular programming for New Hampshire viewers once WGBH is dropped from the channel lineup.

New program schedules for NHPTV PRIME and NHPTV EXPLORE will roll out this fall, on Channels 2 and 11.

He directed the public to check out nhptv.org/updates for more information.

John Barker, Director of IT for the city, who also sits on the cable advisory board, emphasized to the public that complaints should be directed to their legislators.

"Comcast didn't make this decision. This is what the government in Concord believes is the will of the people. Someone should contact their legislators and explain if they agree or disagree that this money be taken away from New Hampshire Public TV, which put them in the straits where they had to do this," Barker said.

Committee liaison Alderman Barbara Pressly said the loss of WGBH to Nashua viewers was a "huge" one.

"So many times when legislators do something like this they do not understand the consequences and rammifications of their actions. This is going to be a huge loss to the television viewing public in New Hampshire, and as John Barker said, the thing to do is to contact your legislators," Pressly said.

NHPTV and WGBH Boston will collaborate starting next month to further focus its resources on producing and presenting local and PBS television programs, a partnership which will provide operational economies.

As NHPTV makes the transition from an entity of the University System of New Hampshire to an independent, community-licensed public media organization, both NHPTV and WGBH will remain independently owned and operated stations.

As part of the NHPTV–WGBH collaboration, NHPTV will contract for services in areas such as broadcast technologies, membership services and financial administration. Through digital technology, broadcast operations can be shared and combined to save money, which enables financial resources to be redirected to programming.

So what does this mean to viewers?

Beginning in October, NHPTV PRIME viewers will be able to view PBS programs such as Masterpiece, Nature, Antiques Roadshow, American Masters, Great Performances, PBS NewsHour, Sesame Street and Curious George at times that align with the national public broadcasting schedule. Local NHPTV programs including Windows to the Wild, Roadside Stories, and Granite State Challenge will continue to be seen on NHPTV PRIME and NHPTV EXPLORE, also at new times. The program schedule for NHPTV EXPLORE will change in September. And, more viewers in New Hampshire will have access to the public media digital channels WORLD and CREATE. 

“NHPTV is pleased to be part of this ground-breaking collaboration with WGBH, and to streamline certain administrative and operational functions. The cost savings will enable us to focus our resources on local programs and services for our viewers and supporters,” noted Peter Frid, President and CEO of NHPTV. “NHPTV is a strong, valued and financially sound organization, and we’re excited about our future plans as we continue to serve our New Hampshire viewers and communities.”

“WGBH and New Hampshire Public Television share a mission of serving audiences with quality educational programs,” said WGBH President and CEO Jonathan Abbott.  “We are excited to collaborate in that mission in ways that will make the best use of our resources and new technologies to benefit our communities,” he said.

The breakdown:

NHPTV PRIME -  For New Hampshire, the home of the main PBS schedule, featuring series such as American Experience, American Masters, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Great Performances, History Detectives, Masterpiece, Market Warriors, Nature, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, This Old House, as well as British comedies and PBS Kids programs. NHPTV PRIME also features New Hampshire-focused programs like Granite State Challenge.

NHPTV EXPLORE – A second full-service public television channel for New Hampshire featuring alternate broadcast times for key PBS programs, locally focused independent programs, as well as Globe Trekker and British programs such as Doc Martin and Lark Rise to Candleford.

World – A 24/7 non-fiction and documentary channel featuring thought-provoking stories on today's headlines, scientific advances, historic revelations, and natural wonders.

Create – Round-the-clock lifestyle programming to help you make the most of life, with practical tips on everything from home improvement and decorating to travel and cooking.

WGBH Kids – Acclaimed and award-winning PBS children’s shows and family-friendly programming offered 24/7.

FAQS on changes to WGBH/NH Public TV starting Oct. 8, from NHPTV.org:

Q: What will change about the programs NH audiences view on NHPTV PRIME and EXPLORE?

A: NHPTV PRIME viewers will now be able to watch prime-time PBS programs when these are broadcast nationally. Viewers still will have the same PBS series they know and love, such American Experience, American Masters, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Great Performances, History Detectives, Masterpiece, Market Warriors, Nature, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, This Old House, and the full array of PBS Kids programs.  What will change is the schedule: prime-time programs on NHPTV PRIME will now air when they air on WGBH  2 and other PBS stations across the US.
 
NHPTV EXPLORE’s program schedule will undergo some changes.  It will offer alternate times for key PBS programs and a showcase for locally produced and acquired programs. Many of the programs that NHPTV EXPLORE viewers are accustomed to seeing will continue on the WORLD and CREATE channels.

Q: Will the same programs be on both NHPTV and WGBH? What will be different?

A: Viewers in each state will see the same full PBS slate of programs. Under the new arrangement, both NHPTV PRIME and WGBH 2 will offer the full national PBS service as well as programs with a local focus of value to New Hampshire and Massachusetts audiences.

Q: What happens to New Hampshire-focused programs?

A: Audiences in New Hampshire will continue to enjoy series such as Windows to the Wild, Roadside Stories, Granite State Challenge, and other NH-focused programs. One of the many benefits of this new arrangement is that NHPTV will be able to dedicate resources to programs about New Hampshire and educational services that benefit NH viewers. You can find out more about sponsoring Granite State Challenge by contacting Sarah Varney, Director of Corporate & Foundations Support, at (603) 868-4318.

Q: Will any of my channel locations or channel schedules change?

A: Comcast has agreed to partner with us to implement the changes and, as a result, beginning the week of October 8th, 2012, Comcast customers in New Hampshire will experience these channel changes:

• NHPTV PRIME will be on channels 2 and HD 802/702 (depending on your location)
• NHPTV EXPLORE will be on channels11 and HD 801/711

WGBH no longer will be carried on 2 or HD 802/702 and WGBX no longer will be carried on 16/17/26 or HD 818/718.

Comcast subscribers in both states will continue to receive two local PBS services: NHPTV PRIME and NHPTV EXPLORE in New Hampshire and WGBH 2 and WGBX-44 in Eastern Massachusetts. Customers in NH will no longer receive WGBH 2 and WGBX 44; and customers in MA will no longer receive NHPTV Prime and Explore.

WGBH 2 and NHPTV PRIME’s schedules will largely be the same, with some small differences that reflect a focus on the local communities in each state. Viewers in Massachusetts who enjoy programs like Windows to the Wild will continue to view these, and New Hampshire viewers who enjoy programs like Greater Boston will continue to view those.

WGBH 44 and NHPTV EXPLORE’s schedules will also largely be the same.

The CREATE and WORLD channels will be available in both states.

Q: If I currently receive WGBH/NHPTV via antenna over the air or through a different provider, will be affected?
A: Viewers who use an antenna to watch over-the-air will still be able to watch NHPTV PRIME and NHPTV EXPLORE.  Other cable and satellite providers are not making these changes at this time.  As previously mentioned, WGBH 2/NHPTV PRIME and WGBH 44/NHPTV EXPLORE’s schedules will largely be
the same.

Q: Will I still be able to watch the NHPTV Annual Spring Auction?
A: The NHPTV Spring Auction will celebrate its 40th year in 2013 and NHPTV is committed to continuing one of the most successful volunteer-driven auctions in the country. Viewers in New Hampshire will continue to watch the NHPTV Spring Auction on-air and online.

Q: I live in Maine/Vermont and watch NHPTV PRIME / NHPTV EXPLORE. Will that continue?
A: You will continue to be able to view NHPTV. New program lineups for NHPTV PRIME and NHPTV EXPLORE will roll out this fall so you will see programs airing at new times.

Here is a link via LegiScan to the roll call vote for HB 113, which passed by a vote of 263 to 102. If you are so inclined, here's how to contact your Nashua state legislators and senators (from the state NH House of Representatives website). Hyperlinks will take you to email and telephone information.