topic Re: Why do I receive Boston local news? in TV & Streaming

Why do I receive Boston local news?

Gin13 — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:21:29 GMT

I live in Niagara region, an hour from Buffalo and the New York State border. However, my local NBC/ CBS/ ABC affiliate stations are not Buffalo but Boston. Why is this? I might be inclined to patronize local Buffalo and Western New York businesses but I never see their advertising on my Bell tv feed. Is there a way for me to have Bell change this?

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

AlexS — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 02:33:16 GMT

I live in qc and I remember last aug. 31, abc vt changed to wcvb when I wanted to watch wnt. It remained as Boston feed until at least 21:30. I didn't check whether other US networks switched though. I assumed it was bc the station was having a maintenance.

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

DanJ — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:30:44 GMT

I'm in southern Ontario, and have had Boston as our east US networks for years, back to ExpressVu days. Just who they make the deals with I guess.

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

BellAntonie — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 19:37:11 GMT

Hey @Gin13, @DanJ is correct, the Boston feed for US networks is what is available for Bell Satellite TV.

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

AlexS — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 06:48:32 GMT

Can we add boston channels to Fibe's time-shift pack? It's nice to watch sth from a big city. I'm in qc and the small stations' signals from vt rn't stable. Colourful maniac, no sound, purple screen...... u name it

why can I not receive Detroit news channels with my TV package.

xlb — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:47:43 GMT

why can I not receive Detroit news channels with my TV package. I have no interest in Boston TV

Re: why can I not receive Detroit news channels with my TV package.

dks — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 20:54:27 GMT

The question is answered by Bell staff in this thread.

https://forum.bell.ca/t5/TV/Why-do-I-receive-Boston-local-news/td-p/2658

It is because that is what Bell has available.

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

WelshTerrier — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 21:44:49 GMT

There are local Buffalo stations in the Niagara region that you can subscribe to. There are also many of the larger networks that do support local programming such as the local news, sports, etc.. Can you view this all day, 24x7 & 365 days of the year? In some cases yes. In most cases , no. There are program restrictions, advertising inserts, blackouts, viewer discretion & content limitations, etc.

Bell subscribes to east East & West coast U.S. Networks. Depending on where you live in Canada; the U.S. networks will flip flop back & forth throughout the day. They will include U.S. National programming & shows then all of a sudden drop in local TV followed by some programming , advertisements, etc.

So define for me what is local?

Bell does not control what is advertised or shown on a U.S Network. They can choose to control what some U.S. stations want to show, E.g. content, copyright, etc.

Bell Media can control what is within their circle of influence to control in terms of programing. It all boils down to viewership, costs & advertising dollars. You may be more interested in Buffalo as I am, but we do not control the U.S. network, viewing rights & who can watch what, the broadcast location, local content, advertising & who pays for the advertising, etc.

As an example, take for instance a couple of the larger networks, E.g. CNN, etc. There is no local broadcasting. What you see is what you get! Advertising, programming is all driven by the U.S. viewing market. We get to see what is shown in terms of content, location, U.S. advertising, etc.

We live in Canada. We are the small fishy in the frying pan or the ocean so to speak. Considering our country & it's size, we are doing pretty well to hold our own!

Just my thoughts.

Thank you for contacting the Bell Community Forum.

Take care.

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

AlexS — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 06:25:46 GMT

CNN US actually has Canadian ads. Sometimes right before a clip, the feed would show ads for Crave and CTV National news.

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

ronnie_ej — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 22:00:47 GMT

I have Satellite TV and presently am getting the ABC, CBS and NBC East channels located from the Boston area. How can i get these channels from the Buffalo NY area?

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

WelshTerrier — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 01:38:53 GMT

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Thank you for posting your question.

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

dks — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:04:31 GMT

Thank you for your question. Bell does not offer US networks outside of Boston and Seattle on the US East and West packages on Bell Satellite TV. You can see the full list of available channels here. You would have to subscribe to another provider or use an external antenna if you are within range of Buffalo NY to receive those stations. Be also aware that CRTC regulations allow and require the replacement of US programming with Canadian stations and commercials by Bell using SimSub.

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

Phish73 — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:28:43 GMT

I would like to switch my fox boston channels to fox detroit ? is this possible on Bell Express View?

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

dks — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:33:18 GMT

Thank you for your question. Briefly, no. Bell Satellite TV is only licensed to carry Boston and Seattle Fox stations.

Re: Why do I receive Boston local news?

WelshTerrier — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:17:09 GMT

Good Day & Welcome.

Local networks for Bell Satellite TV are primarily chosen based on the subscriber's physical location (address) to determine their regional network feed. You cannot switch network feeds.

You can choose to add a "Time-Shifting" package, which provides major network feeds from other Canadian time zones plus one US time zone.

What is time shifting?

I have included the current Bell Satellite channel listings as of February 2026

Satellite Channel Listings_DTH_ON_E.pdf

Take care.