Boston Station Gives Jay Leno the Shaft

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(April 3) -- The people of Boston love many things. The Red Sox, yelling at Yankees fans, chowder, the Charles River. Jay Leno, however, doesn't seem to be on their list of likes.

In a bold move, local NBC affiliate WHDH in Boston has decided to air local news instead of Jay Leno's new 10 p.m. talk show when it begins in September. In retaliation, NBC has threatened to strip WHDH of its affiliation with the Peacock network. Furthermore, NBC TV Network president John Eck called WHDH's move a "flagrant violation" of its contract with the network.

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Jay Leno Snapshots

** RETRANSMISSION OF CAGH142 FOR ALTERNATE CROP ** President Barack Obama, left, appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in Burbank, Calif. Thursday, March 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

President Barack Obama, left, appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in Burbank, Calif. Thursday, March 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

NBC employees talk to Jay Leno during a commercial break as President Barack Obama appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in Burbank, Calif. Thursday, March 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) speaks to host Jay Leno on the NBC late night comedy show "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in Burbank, California March 19, 2009. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)

Reuters

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) laughs as he speaks to host Jay Leno on the NBC late night comedy show "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in Burbank, California March 19, 2009. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT IMAGE OF THE DAY TOP PICTURE)

Reuters

US President Barack Obama is seen with host Jay Leno during a taping of "The Tonight Show" at NBC studios in Burbank, California. Obama has appeared on the late night comedy shows before as a candidate, but NBC said this will be the first time a serving president has been on "The Tonight Show." The long-running show, previously hosted by Johnny Carson, is an entertainment institution in the United States that features Leno's comedy routines, a live band and celebrity interviews. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

President Barack Obama, left, appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in Burbank, Calif. Thursday, March 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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"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," Eck said.

Leno, who for years manned 'The Tonight Show' until giving up his throne to Conan O'Brien, surprised many by quickly snagging a new nighttime TV gig.

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WHDH's owner Ed Ansin told the Boston Globe he didn't think Leno's show would be successful, and that his station could do better financially by sticking with their 10 p.m. newscast. By doing so, they would continue competing with the local Fox newscast at the same time.

2009-04-03 08:08:56

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