WNDS and WBIN-TV: A History of Local Programming and News in New Hampshire
The evolution of Channel 50—known variously as WNDS, WZMY-TV, and WBIN-TV—reflects the shifting landscape of regional broadcasting in New England. From its early days of eclectic local variety shows to its ambitious attempts to dominate political news in New Hampshire, the station has transitioned through multiple identities and business models.
Key Facts
- Diverse Early Content: WNDS launched with a mix of cooking, children's, and variety shows in the early 1980s.
- Sports Coverage: The station consistently provided coverage for high school, college, and minor league sports.
- The Kaprielian Era: Meteorologist Al Kaprielian became a regional celebrity due to his unique forecasting style.
- News Evolution: The station moved from local nightly news to a partnership with the Independent News Network (INN) and finally to the NH1 News Network.
- Spectrum Sale: Local news operations ceased in February 2017 following the sale of the station's spectrum in the FCC auction.
The Era of Local Programming
During its inaugural year, WNDS focused heavily on community-centric content. This included The Yankee Gourmet (cooking), Just Kidding Around (children's programming), and The Best of New Hampshire (variety). While these were canceled by the end of 1985, the station maintained a strong presence in sports, broadcasting high school football, college hockey, and minor league baseball. A notable staple was Candlepin Stars and Strikes, which aired every weekend at noon from 1984 until 2005.
Before affiliating with the Global Shopping Network in April 1997, the station expanded its local offerings with High School Sports Review, Sports Wrap, and the newsmagazine WNDS News Up Front. Later, in the early 2000s, the station aired Capitol Ideas hosted by Arnie Arnesen and Friday Night Chaos, featuring Chaotic Wrestling.
When the station rebranded as WZMY-TV, it introduced the "My Shows" format, which focused on regional business visits. This included My New England and specialized spin-offs like My Premier Bride, My Good Health, and My Home and Garden. The station also aired MyTV Prime and Wild World, an action sports review produced by Dan Egan.
Branded Entertainment and WBIN-TV
As "My TV," the station shifted toward a Branded Entertainment model, emphasizing local product placement. This era saw a surge of diverse programming produced via "MyTV New England Studios," including The Chef's Plate, Inside the Revolution (focusing on the New England Revolution), and the reality competition Iron Brides. Other notable shows included Scorch's PFG-TV and Quiet Desperation, though the latter was dropped after the station was acquired by Carlisle One Media.
Under Carlisle One, WBIN-TV renewed its commitment to sports, broadcasting New Hampshire Wildcats hockey and basketball, as well as Merrimack Warriors and UMass Minutemen games. In 2016, the station launched The Language of Business, a local business newsmagazine.
| Station Call Sign | Primary Programming Focus | Notable Local Content |
|---|---|---|
| WNDS | Variety & Local Sports | Candlepin Stars and Strikes |
| WZMY-TV | Business-centric "My Shows" | My New England, MyTV Prime |
| WBIN-TV | Branded Entertainment & News | NH1 News, The Language of Business |
The Rise and Fall of the News Operation
News has been a volatile part of the station's history. WNDS began with nightly newscasts in 1983, featuring anchor Larry Sparano and meteorologist Al Kaprielian. After a period of decline and the eventual dissolution of the news department in 2007, WBIN-TV attempted to rebuild. In 2011, it partnered with the Independent News Network (INN) to produce News at 10 on WBIN, which was broadcast from studios in Davenport, Iowa.
The station's most ambitious news venture was the NH1 News Network, launched in September 2014. Operating out of the former Walker School in Concord and several regional bureaus, NH1 aimed to "own politics in New Hampshire." The operation featured chief political correspondent Kevin Landrigan and political director Paul Steinhauser. However, this era ended abruptly on February 16, 2017, when the station aired its final newscasts and laid off most of its staff due to the FCC spectrum auction.
The Legacy of Al Kaprielian
Throughout these transitions, meteorologist Al Kaprielian remained the station's most recognizable face. Known for his quirky style, he became a local celebrity and even appeared on The Weather Channel. Though laid off in 2009, he returned to WBIN-TV in 2012 before finally leaving in 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the NH1 News Network?
The NH1 News Network ceased television broadcasts on February 16, 2017, following the sale of the station's spectrum in the FCC auction, though operations continued on radio and online.
Who was Al Kaprielian?
Al Kaprielian was a long-time meteorologist for the station, known for his offbeat personality and popularity in Southern New Hampshire.
What was the "My Shows" format?
The "My Shows" format consisted of programs that visited various businesses around the region, focusing on topics like health, gardening, and bridal services.
Which sports did the station cover?
The station covered a wide array of sports, including high school football, college hockey (specifically NH Wildcats and Merrimack Warriors), minor league baseball, and action sports via Wild World.
What was the "Branded Entertainment" model?
This was a business model adopted during the "My TV" era that focused on local product placement and collaborations with independent production companies.