« HD Coming at Last | Main | 7 Sports Addition »
Comcast Buys Out Hearst’s Stake in NECN
By Michael Page | June 18, 2009
Comcast announced today that it bought out Heart’s ownership in New England Cable News.
The deal brings NECN under Comcast’s sole control, instead of NECN’s former split ownership between Hearst Corp. and Comcast.
The price of the deal was not disclosed, but the acquisition certainly makes Comcast more of a player in the market, as it also controls Comcast Sports Net as well.
In fact, the Vice President and General Manager of Comcast SportsNet, Bill Bridgen, will run both the SportsNet and NECN. That means Charles Kravetz, who has been NECN’s President and General Manager for just over a year, is out of a job.
The station says the move will result in no operational impacts, including the use of the shared chopper with WCVB.
Topics: NECN | 19 Comments »
June 18th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I hope this doesn’t lead to Verizon losing NECN.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Dan – I’ve been told that NECN will stay on all cable networks (including Verizon) they’re on now.
Also Michael – Not sure if it’s just me, but isn’t the title of this post misleading? Obviously you point out the details in the post itself, but the title seems misleading. Again, might be just me.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
NECN just won’t be the same without Charlie.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:44 am
I suppose you are right, Ryan. I didn’t read it that way but I see your point…I clarified it a bit to avoid further misunderstanding.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:03 am
today’s globe article
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/06/19/hearst_passes_necn_torch_to_comcast/
June 19th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Hopefully, this will make Comcast Sportsnet better, with more original programming.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Maybe they will spruce it up a little, like adding it in HD, although if they did Verizon fios probably wouldn’t carry it. But Edward, why would it make Comcast Sportsnet better?
June 21st, 2009 at 10:29 am
Will there be layoffs?
June 21st, 2009 at 11:37 pm
As of now the word is no.
June 21st, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Any news on NECN going HD?
June 21st, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Not yet.
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Jack, it was said on Greater Boston last week that they’re putting in a few million dollars for an HD transition.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Thanks for the info. Didn’t realize it was so expensive to go HD. Like the station, just wish they didn’t repeat the news all weekend without updating it. Lots of paid programming also.
June 25th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Michael, I’m sure it wasn’t intentional on your part, but can you please spell Charlie’s last name correctly in your report? It’s Kravetz, with a ‘z’ (I’m amazed none of your readers noticed this). He has been a respected journalist and newsman in Boston for nearly three decades, I think he deserves to have his named spelled correctly.
And while I understand that Comcast wants its own guy running things, the quick dismissal of Kravetz is not a good sign for the future of NECN. Kravetz’ presence will be sorely missed at that station; don’t be surprised going forward if their newscasts start looking more like 4/5/7/25 and slip in overall reporting/storytelling capability.
June 25th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Since I am human I do make mistakes from time to time…thanks for pointing it out, and the change has been made.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure Kravetz was a good newsperson, but how else can Comcast get more viewers than to spice things up at NECN. Don’t get me wrong I hate Fox 25′s and 7′s style, but NECN is too try for me, and most people. Before everyone starts yelling about how they are true journalists at NECN, that doesn’t matter in the eyes of Comcast, they want money. And while I am not sure of NECN’s financial situation (for all I could know, it may already be a big money maker) but I don’t think it brings in much money, based on all the news reruns and infomercials they have.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I think the DR string trimmer delivers MILLIONS in revenue every year!
July 14th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Could this lead to NECN being renamed Comcast NewsNet New England???
July 14th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I doubt it… Unless they try to make regional news networks around the country.