WZBV (TV)

WZBV, virtual and VHF digital channel 18, is a NBC/CW+/CBS/MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station licensed to, United States. The station is owned by. WZBV's studios are located on High Street in downtown Brattleboro, its transmitter is located in Brattleboro Watershed Forest.

History
WZBV first signed on August 2, 1962, a venture of businessman Ernest W. Barrault. It has been affiliated with since signing-on.

Most television markets in the country received at least two VHF commercial channels. However, the Brattleboro market could only receive one VHF license because it was sandwiched between (then a sub-market of ; with channels  and 34) to the east, - (channels  and ) to the northwest, and  (channels 6, 10, and ) to the west. WZBV was fortunate to receive this license, and as a result became the only television station to serve Brattleboro until WVEB signed on the air in October 1968.

Ernest W. Barrault's estate sold the station to Holdredge Communications, the broadcasting arm of the, in 1983. Current owner obtained the station in 1997 after Fireman's Fund exited the broadcast industry (Fireman's Fund continues to insure WZBV's facilities).

WZBV has been digital-only since June 12, 2009. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition VHF channel 40 to channel 18 for post-transition operations.

Main channel
In addition to the NBC network schedule, syndicated programming on WZBV includes Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Inside Edition, Entertainment Tonight, Judge Mathis, The People's Court, and Judge Judy, among others. WZBV clears most of the NBC schedule, except for The More You Know (the network's E/I programming block), which is aired on tape delay in early mornings on Sundays so it can air Storrs Media/Telco Productions' syndicated E/I-compliant programs in The More You Know ' s Saturday morning timeslot.

Programming controversies
During the 2000s, WZBV opted not to air certain NBC programs it deemed too risky or controversial. Such shows included the game show Fear Factor, the animated series God, the Devil and Bob, the drama The Book of Daniel, and the American version of the British sitcom Coupling. Fear Factor and God, the Devil and Bob instead aired on "WBBR", then Brattleboro's WB affiliate on Saturday nights after The WB's primetime schedule. Only Fear Factor was renewed for another season, it was cancelled in 2006 after 6 seasons and WZBV cleared the entire NBC schedule throughout a season for the first time in the 2006-07 season.

WZBV-DT2
WZBV-DT2 (branded as Region 18 CW) is the CW-affiliated second digital subchannel of WZBV, broadcasting in 720p high definition on virtual and VHF channel 18.2; a direct-to-cable 1080i high definition feed of this subchannel is available on Comcast, Verizon FiOS and DirecTV in the Brattleboro area. All programming on WZBV-DT2 is received through The CW's programming feed for smaller media markets,, which provides a set schedule of syndicated programming acquired by The CW for broadcast during time periods outside of the network's regular programming hours; however, Lockwood Broadcast Group handles local advertising and promotional services for the subchannel.

On July 25, 2010, WZBV announced it would be bringing The CW programming (via their national CW+ service) into the Brattleboro market through a second subchannel, starting on September 1, 2010; CW programming had previously been seen on cable systems under the false call sign "WBBR" (which stood for The WB BRattleboro). "WBBR" seamlessly became associated with the new CW network (branded as "Brattleboro's CW 5") on September 18, 2006 after the merger of The WB and UPN into that one network.

WZBV-DT3
WZBV-DT3 (branded as Region 18 My CBS) is the dual CBS/MyNetworkTV-affiliated third digital subchannel of WZBV. Over the air, WZBV-DT3 broadcasts a 720p high definition signal (with CBS programming downconverted from the network's native 1080i resolution, to preserve bandwidth so that WZBV-DT2 can transmit in 720p HD over-the-air) on virtual and VHF channel 18.3; however, a direct-to-cable full 1080i high definition feed of this subchannel (with MyNetworkTV programming upscaled from the network's native 720p resolution) is available on Comcast, Verizon FiOS and DirecTV in the Brattleboro area.

WZBV began carrying CBS and MyNetworkTV programming on its third digital subchannel on February 17, 2012, prior to then, Brattleboro viewers relied on out-of-market carriage of of  for CBS and WZMY-TV of  (and later  of, after WZMY-TV dropped MyNetworkTV and went independent) for MyNetworkTV. In addition to CBS and MyNetworkTV shows, syndicated programming on WZBV-DT3 includes Dr. Phil, The Dr. Oz Show, Family Feud, and Right This Minute, among others. WZBV-DT3 clears most of the CBS schedule, except for CBS Dream Team, which is aired on tape delay in early mornings on Sundays so it can air the syndicated version of 's Stupendoriffic block and 's syndicated Go Time block in CBS Dream Team ' s Saturday morning timeslot. MyNetworkTV's programming is aired on tape delay in the evening before the CBS Evening News. WZBV-DT3 also airs games produced by, and is the local affiliate of Phantom Gourmet (the Saturday shows air after the children's programming block, the Sunday shows air after CBS News Sunday Morning).

News operation
WZBV presently broadcasts 24½ hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 4½ hours each weekday and one hour each on Saturdays and Sundays).

On September 16, 2011, WZBV announced that it would upgrade its newscasts to high definition and introduce a new set. On October 17, 2011 beginning with its 11 a.m. newscast, WZBV became the first station in Brattleboro to broadcast its local newscast in high definition.

Although not owned by the same company, WZBV frequently forms a partnership with Saga Communications' Brattleboro/ station group for community projects and promotions (as WZBV has often claimed Keene, which is part of the Manchester// television market, as part of it's coverage area. For many years, station promos and IDs have read "Brattleboro/Keene/" to further this claim). The Saga stations often involved in the partnership are Sunny 97.7,  92.7 Bratt FM and  1290. An audio simulcast of WZBV's 6 p.m. newscast airs Monday-Friday evenings on WKBK.

Notable former on-air staff

 * Roger Davis - technical director, cameraman, A/V technician, assistant news director (drummer currently touring with The Cars and Cocteau Twins + Sharon Romer)
 * Raja Sonti - anchor/reporter