News 12+

News 12+ is a regional American cable television channel serving parts of the New York metropolitan area. The service is associated with the News 12 Networks family and is operated through Optimum Communications News, a subsidiary of Optimum Communications. Its core programming consists of continuously updated traffic reports and weather forecasts, supplemented by short headline-news segments. The channel is designed for viewers who need highly localized, frequently refreshed information rather than a conventional general-interest news schedule. The service developed from News 12 Weather, which originally appeared during limited morning periods on certain Cablevision systems in the Long Island area. In the early 1990s, it occupied a shared channel position in place of Bravo and E!, and it received a full-time channel position in areas served by Optimum TV after that service launched in 1996. This early format established the channel's emphasis on practical, local information. On August 5, 1998, the service was formally launched as MSG Metro Traffic & Weather as part of the MSG Metro Channels slate. The revised format combined weather information with regular traffic updates across the New York metropolitan area. This traffic component distinguished the channel from weather-focused competitors, including local broadcast meteorology and The Weather Channel, by addressing commuting conditions and incidents in a highly localized manner. The channel became News 12 Traffic & Weather on October 5, 2005. It later introduced high-definition simulcasts of its regional feeds in November 2012. In December 2013, News 12 Networks announced substantial staffing reductions affecting the service and its meteorology operation. The planned changes reduced the number of meteorologists and traffic reporters and moved the channel toward a more semi-automated operating model, with live reporting concentrated primarily in the morning commute period and expanded when severe weather or major traffic conditions required it. Altice rebranded the service as News 12+ in August 2019. The new name broadened the positioning beyond traffic and weather by adding short headline-news reports while retaining the channel's original utility-focused programming. The channel is distributed through multiple regional feeds for New York City, New Jersey, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut. These feeds are centralcast from News 12's headquarters in Woodbury, New York. News 12+ is carried on channel 61 on Optimum systems in the region and is also available through Verizon Fios and Comcast Xfinity in portions of the Hudson Valley. Its programming remains principally focused on recurring traffic and weather updates, with headline news inserted at selected times.

News 12+ traces its roots to News 12 Weather, a weather service that appeared on some Cablevision systems in the Long Island area during the early 1990s. At that stage, programming was carried during morning periods on a channel shared with Bravo and E!. When Optimum TV launched in 1996, the service obtained a full-time position in the relevant areas, giving it a more durable local distribution platform. On August 5, 1998, the channel was introduced as MSG Metro Traffic & Weather within the MSG Metro Channels slate. Its format was broadened to provide both weather forecasts and recurring traffic reports for the New York metropolitan area. The traffic component gave the service a distinct local-use proposition: unlike primarily weather-oriented channels, it addressed commute conditions, congestion, and incidents alongside forecasts. The channel therefore competed not only with local broadcast weather coverage and national weather television, but also for a specialized role in the daily commuting routine of residents across the region. On October 5, 2005, the service became News 12 Traffic & Weather. The rebranding connected it more closely to the News 12 Networks family of regional cable news channels serving communities around New York City. The channel subsequently developed regionalized distribution and, in November 2012, introduced high-definition simulcast services for five regional feeds. The operating model changed significantly in December 2013. News 12 Networks announced that eight of the channel's ten meteorologists would be laid off and that the broader News 12 operation would undergo a substantial staff reduction. The channel had previously relied on a larger reporting structure, including traffic reporters and meteorologists. Under the announced model, programming would be semi-automated, with live reports concentrated in the morning drive and extended coverage reserved for significant traffic disruptions or severe weather. The channel retained a smaller staff of part-time and freelance traffic reporters and on-camera meteorologists. In August 2019, Altice rebranded the channel News 12+. The revised identity reflected an expansion beyond its historical traffic-and-weather remit: short headline-news stories were added to the schedule while rolling local traffic and weather remained the central service. News 12+ operates through five regional feeds covering New York City, New Jersey, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut. These feeds are centralcast from News 12's Woodbury, New York headquarters. Distribution includes channel 61 on Optimum systems in the region, as well as Verizon Fios and Comcast Xfinity availability in parts of the Hudson Valley. The channel remains an active regional television service focused on frequently refreshed local information rather than long-form general news programming.

• 2019

  News 12+ rebrand

  [1]News 12+en.wikipedia.org

  Altice renamed the channel News 12+ and added short headline-news programming.

• 2012

  High-definition regional simulcasts

  [1]News 12+en.wikipedia.org

  HD simulcast services for five regional feeds began in November.

• 2005

  News 12 Traffic & Weather identity introduced

  [1]News 12+en.wikipedia.org

  The service adopted a News 12-branded name.

• 1998

  MSG Metro Traffic & Weather launches

  [1]News 12+en.wikipedia.org

  The channel formally launched with a combined traffic and weather format for the New York metropolitan area.

• 1996

  Full-time Optimum TV channel position

  [1]News 12+en.wikipedia.org

  The service received a full-time position in relevant areas after the launch of Optimum TV.

• 1990

  Early News 12 Weather distribution

  [1]News 12+en.wikipedia.org

  The predecessor weather service aired during morning periods on some Cablevision systems in the Long Island area.

A practical, localized information channel for commuters and residents who want continuously refreshed traffic and weather reports, with limited headline news layered into the schedule.

• Television programming · 1998

  Traffic coverage

  Rolling reports on traffic conditions across the New York metropolitan area form the channel's main utility-oriented offering. Coverage is refreshed frequently and is especially concentrated around commuting periods, with live reporting potentially expanded during major incidents or severe disruptions.

• Television programming

  Weather coverage

  Regional weather forecasts and updates are carried throughout the schedule. The service originated as News 12 Weather and continues to provide local forecast information, including expanded attention when severe weather affects the region.

• Television programming · 2019

  Headline news updates

  Following the 2019 News 12+ rebrand, the channel added short headline-news stories to its traffic-and-weather schedule. These segments broaden the channel's information offering without changing its primary focus on rapidly updated local conditions.

• Cable television distribution

  Regional channel feeds

  News 12+ is organized into five regional feeds serving New York City, New Jersey, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut. The feeds are centralcast from Woodbury and distributed through selected cable and telecommunications providers.

• 2019

  Rebrand and programming expansionStrategy

  Background

  Altice repositioned the service within the News 12 brand architecture while preserving its established traffic-and-weather role.

  Action taken

  The channel was renamed News 12+ and began carrying short headline-news stories alongside traffic and weather reports.

  Aftermath

  The current identity broadened the channel's stated content scope while maintaining its regional, utility-focused format.

  Source

• 2013

  Shift toward semi-automated operationsStrategy

  Background

  News 12 Networks announced major staffing reductions affecting meteorologists and traffic reporters.

  Action taken

  The channel moved toward semi-automated broadcasting, retaining live reporting mainly for the morning commute and for major traffic or severe-weather events.

  Aftermath

  The operating model relied on a smaller staff, including part-time and freelance traffic reporters and a reduced number of on-camera meteorologists.

  Source

• 2012

  Introduction of high-definition simulcastsGeneration change

  Background

  The channel operated multiple regional feeds and upgraded its presentation as high-definition television distribution expanded.

  Action taken

  High-definition simulcast services were launched for five regional feeds in November.

  Aftermath

  The regional service became available in an HD simulcast format across its principal feed structure.

  Source

• 1998

  Launch of MSG Metro Traffic & WeatherProduct launch

  Background

  The predecessor weather service was expanded into a dedicated local traffic-and-weather channel for the New York metropolitan area.

  Action taken

  The service launched under the MSG Metro Traffic & Weather name and added regular traffic reporting to its weather programming.

  Aftermath

  The channel established the traffic-and-weather format that remained central to its later News 12 identities.

  Source

1. 1News 12+en.wikipedia.org
2. 2News 12 official websitenews12.com