Boston Affiliate Doesn't Want To Air Leno's Show

As observers continue to debate the merits of NBC's decision to anchor a Jay Leno talk show in its Monday through Friday at 10 p.m. spot, an affiliate has weighed in against the plan.

WHDH-TV announced today it will not air Leno's show, instead filling the 10 to 11 p.m. slot with local news.

Adding insult to injury for Leno is the fact that WHDH is the NBC affiliate in Boston, Leno's hometown.

In a statement made available to the press, NBC TV Network President John Eck said, "WHDH's move is a flagrant violation of the terms of their contract with NBC. If they persist, we will strip WHDH of its NBC affiliation. We have a number of other strong options in the Boston market, including using our existing broadcast license to launch an NBC-owned and operated station."

According to Variety, insiders say NBC is looking at contingency plans in Boston should WHDH make the move. One of those options would be to turn WNEU (Channel 60) into an NBC affiliate. Currently, WNEU is a Telemundo station in Boston, the nation's No. 7 market.

WHDH owner Ed Ansin said he believes a local newscast will draw better ratings than Leno at 10 p.m.

"We feel we have a real opportunity with running the news at 10 p.m. We don't think the Leno show is going to be effective in primetime," Ansin told the Boston Globe. "It will be detrimental to our 11 o'clock. It will be very adverse to our finances."

WHDH's 10 p.m. news broadcast would be anchored by Frances Rivera and Kim Khazei. That duo currently hosts the 11 p.m. news show on the station. WHDH would continue to air its 11 p.m. newscast, and plans call for that broadcast also to be hosted by Rivera and Khazei.

Leno is scheduled to take over the 10 p.m. spot in September.