NBC Owned Television Stations
The NBCUniversal division responsible for NBC-owned local television stations and related broadcast, digital, and media businesses.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
NBC Owned Television Stations is the NBCUniversal division that oversees NBC's owned-and-operated television stations in the United States and several related media properties. It is part of NBCUniversal Local, itself a subsidiary of NBCUniversal and, ultimately, Comcast. The division's principal assets are local stations affiliated with the NBC television network, which combine national NBC programming with locally produced news, weather, traffic, sports, public-affairs, and lifestyle content. Its portfolio has also included the Cozi TV multicast network, LXTV, and Skycastle Entertainment, an internal marketing and promotion operation. Telemundo's owned-and-operated stations are managed separately within the Telemundo Station Group rather than being part of the NBC station portfolio. The station group grew out of NBC's early ownership of broadcast outlets in major American cities. WNBT in New York, now WNBC, began commercial television operations on July 1, 1941, and is recognized as the oldest continuously operating commercial television station in the United States. NBC subsequently established or acquired stations in Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Cleveland; Los Angeles; Buffalo; and New Britain, Connecticut. Ownership changed repeatedly as NBC pursued larger markets, responded to Federal Communications Commission rules, and navigated the technical limitations of early UHF broadcasting. The Cleveland and Philadelphia stations, in particular, were involved in a complex exchange with Westinghouse during the 1950s before NBC returned to Cleveland and ultimately moved its Philadelphia operation to WCAU-TV. The portfolio expanded substantially during the ownership of General Electric, which acquired NBC in 1986. NBC added KCNC-TV in Denver and WTVJ in Miami, later obtained majority control of KUTV in Salt Lake City, and participated in the major affiliation and ownership changes associated with the 1994–1996 American broadcast television realignment. The acquisition of The Outlet Company's broadcasting properties in 1996 added WCMH-TV in Columbus, WJAR in Providence, and WNCN in North Carolina. NBC also acquired KNSD in San Diego and WVTM-TV in Birmingham. A 1997 partnership with LIN Television created Station Venture Holdings, through which NBC operated KNSD and KXAS-TV; NBC later became the full owner after LIN exited the venture in 2013. The organization was renamed NBC Local Media in 2007 and NBC Owned Television Stations in 2011. During this period, the division pursued digital expansion and experimented with local-news and lifestyle formats. It acquired LXTV and Skycastle Entertainment, developed city-oriented websites and vertical digital brands, operated the Nonstop local multicast concept, and later consolidated that concept into the national Cozi TV network. The division also participated in local news-sharing and advertising arrangements involving affiliated cable networks and outside news organizations. NBCUniversal's ownership structure changed when Comcast acquired a controlling interest in NBCUniversal from General Electric in 2011. Following the transaction, NBC stations were required under FCC conditions to establish partnerships with nonprofit news organizations. In 2013, NBC's and Telemundo's owned-station operations were placed under a broader NBCUniversal station division, while the two networks retained distinct station groups. NBC later strengthened its Boston presence by replacing WHDH as the market's NBC affiliate in 2017 through a combination of WBTS-LD, WNEU's digital signal, and subsequent spectrum and licensing arrangements. The group's stations continue to operate as local broadcast outlets while also developing digital, streaming, multicast, advertising, and content partnerships.
History
NBC's owned-station operation developed alongside the expansion of American commercial television. WNBT in New York, now WNBC, began broadcasting on July 1, 1941. NBC added stations in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Cleveland, and Los Angeles during the 1940s. The group subsequently experienced several major ownership changes. In 1955, NBC exchanged its Cleveland station and associated radio properties with Westinghouse for Philadelphia assets, but NBC returned to Cleveland in 1965. The network also bought UHF stations in Buffalo and New Britain, though early UHF reception problems led to the closure or sale of those properties. NBC later reacquired the New Britain station, now WVIT. General Electric's 1986 acquisition of NBC brought KCNC-TV in Denver into the owned-station group. NBC acquired WTVJ in Miami in 1987 after disputes with its existing affiliate over programming preemptions. The 1990s brought further expansion through majority control of KUTV, the acquisition of The Outlet Company's stations, and transactions involving New World Communications and other broadcasters during the 1994–1996 affiliation realignment. NBC acquired KNSD in San Diego and WVTM-TV in Birmingham, while a complex 1995 exchange involving CBS, Westinghouse, WCAU-TV, KCNC, and KUTV reshaped the Philadelphia and Denver markets. NBC also acquired KNTV after KRON-TV's NBC affiliation ended in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1997, NBC and LIN Television formed Station Venture Holdings. LIN contributed a controlling interest in KXAS-TV in Dallas–Fort Worth, while NBC contributed KNSD. NBC controlled operations of both stations through the venture. LIN withdrew in 2013, leaving NBCUniversal with full ownership. NBCUniversal itself was formed in 2004 through the combination of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, with General Electric initially holding the controlling interest. Comcast acquired control of NBCUniversal in 2011. The station organization became NBC Local Media in 2007. It expanded beyond conventional broadcasting by acquiring LXTV, purchasing Skycastle Entertainment, developing local digital sites, and experimenting with the Nonstop multicast format. In 2011, the organization was renamed NBC Owned Television Stations. Nonstop programming began as locally branded digital subchannels and was later consolidated into the national Cozi TV network. The division also developed advertising partnerships with cable networks and supported local news collaborations, including arrangements with nonprofit news organizations encouraged by FCC conditions associated with Comcast's NBCUniversal transaction. In 2013, NBC and Telemundo owned-station operations were brought under a larger NBCUniversal station division, although NBC and Telemundo retained separate broadcast portfolios. NBC strengthened its Boston presence in 2017 after announcing that it would replace WHDH. The new operation used WBTS-LD and WNEU's digital signal, with later spectrum and license transactions improving coverage. The modern organization combines local NBC stations with digital publishing, multicast services, marketing, and content operations within NBCUniversal Local.
- 2017
NBC Boston launches
[1]NBC begins operating its Boston-market service after replacing WHDH as the market's NBC affiliate.
- 2013
NBC gains full control of Station Venture Holdings
[1]LIN exits the joint venture, leaving NBCUniversal with full ownership of KNSD and KXAS-TV.
- 2012
Cozi TV is announced
[1]NBC announces a national successor to the Nonstop multicast format under the Cozi TV name.
- 2011
The division becomes NBC Owned Television Stations
[1]The organization adopts its current name as Comcast takes control of NBCUniversal.
- 2008
NBC Local Media acquires LXTV and Skycastle Entertainment
[1]The division adds LXTV programming and acquires Skycastle, its former external sales and marketing firm.
- 2007
The group becomes NBC Local Media
[1]NBC's owned-and-operated station organization adopts the NBC Local Media name.
- 1997
Station Venture Holdings is formed
[1]NBC and LIN Television establish a joint venture operating KNSD and KXAS-TV.
- 1996
NBC expands through The Outlet Company acquisition
[1]NBC acquires broadcasting properties including WCMH-TV, WJAR, and WNCN.
- 1986
General Electric acquires NBC
[1]General Electric's acquisition of NBC brings KCNC-TV in Denver into NBC's owned-station structure.
- 1965
NBC resumes control of the Cleveland station
[1]NBC regains control of the Cleveland operation, which adopts the WKYC call letters.
Products and positioning
A vertically integrated local broadcast platform combining NBC network distribution, market-specific journalism, digital publishing, multicast entertainment, and national advertising capabilities.
Local broadcast television
NBC owned-and-operated television stations
The division's core portfolio consists of NBC network stations in major United States markets. Each station distributes NBC's national schedule while producing local newscasts and market-specific weather, traffic, public-affairs, sports, and lifestyle content. The stations also sell local advertising and support NBCUniversal's broader distribution and promotional strategy.
Multicast television network · 2012
Cozi TV
Cozi TV is a multicast network developed from NBC's Nonstop digital-subchannel initiative. Its programming centers on classic television series, films, and selected original or lifestyle content, allowing NBC-owned and other affiliated stations to offer an additional free over-the-air service.
Television and digital production · 2008
LXTV
LXTV is a production and content brand associated with local lifestyle, culture, real-estate, and entertainment programming. NBC Local Media acquired it in 2008, and its programs were used in local digital-subchannel and station initiatives.
Local digital subchannel format · 2009
NBC Nonstop
NBC Nonstop was a collection of locally branded digital subchannels combining extended local information and news programming with lifestyle and entertainment programs. NBC later consolidated the concept into a national multicast service branded Cozi TV.
Brand decisions
2017
Launch NBC BostonStrategyBackground
NBC decided not to renew its affiliation arrangement with WHDH and sought a direct owned-station presence in the Boston market.
Action taken
NBC launched NBC Boston using WBTS-LD and WNEU's digital signal, later supported by additional spectrum and licensing arrangements.
Aftermath
NBC obtained an owned-and-operated service in the Boston market and reshuffled related NBCUniversal and Telemundo assets in eastern New England.
2013
Assume full ownership of Station Venture HoldingsM&ABackground
LIN Media withdrew from its joint venture with NBCUniversal involving KNSD and KXAS-TV.
Action taken
NBCUniversal became the sole owner of the venture's two stations.
Aftermath
KNSD and KXAS-TV continued as NBC-owned stations under direct NBCUniversal control.
2012
Replace Nonstop with Cozi TVProduct launchBackground
NBC determined that locally branded Nonstop channels needed a more consistent national programming identity and fuller around-the-clock scheduling.
Action taken
NBC announced the relaunch of the Nonstop network as Cozi TV, with classic programs, films, and original content.
Aftermath
Cozi TV became the principal national successor to the Nonstop multicast concept.
2008
Focus on major-market stations and digital growthStrategyBackground
NBC Local Media sought to concentrate resources on digital properties and stations in the largest markets while considering the sale of WTVJ and WVIT.
Action taken
The division put WTVJ and WVIT up for sale, but WTVJ's proposed transaction was not completed because of FCC ownership restrictions and adverse economic conditions; WVIT also remained with NBC.
Aftermath
The stations remained part of NBC's owned portfolio, while the division continued emphasizing digital and local content initiatives.
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