ABC6 Is Leaving Channel 6: What New Bedford and Providence Need to Know

It’s the end of an era in New Bedford and Providence media. According to a memo from the general manager at WJAR-TV “Turn to 10” in Providence, the television station’s parent company, Sinclair, has signed an agreement with ABC and Standard Media to move ABC network programming and local ABC6 News from Channel 6 to WJAR 10.2 (a subchannel of NBC 10).

ABC 6 Programming Moving to WJAR 10.2 in Providence

Starting December 1, viewers who turn on Channel 6 will no longer see ABC6 programming. What will they see instead? Hope they like to laugh, because WLNE will begin airing ROAR. ROAR is a television network that focuses on funny shows like classic Saturday Night Live episodes, America’s Funniest Home Videos and Whose Line Is It Anyway?

READ MORE: Instant Nostalgia With This Channel 6 News Broadcast From 1986

However, in a memo to advertisers, Vic Vetters, the general manager for both WJAR and WLNE, said “it’s business as usual” for both stations. “We will continue to maintain the long-running, legacy brand of ABC6 as this is well recognized in Southern New England and the advertising community," he wrote.

READ MORE: ABC6 Meteorologist's Sock-Slide Wipeout on Live TV

What the ABC 6 Move Means for New Bedford and SouthCoast Viewers

What this will mean for the faces we see on ABC6 remains to be seen. This year has already seen the departure of at least two longtime Providence television names: ABC6 Meteorologist Kelly Bates and ABC6 Sports Director Nick Coit. They were both let go after the announcement of the merger with Turn to 10. Bates said she was told her services were considered "redundant" by the new ownership.

READ MORE: New Bedford Had Its Own Bozo and Romper Room on Channel 6

No one can be sure what any of these developments will mean for the remaining staff at ABC6. However, the trend in all forms of traditional broadcasting, including television, is consolidation. In other words, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some WJAR personalities broadcasting on both brands.

Why ABC 6 Still Feels Like a New Bedford TV Station

Many ABC6 viewers on the SouthCoast still consider the television station as having New Bedford ties. There’s a reason ABC 6 feels like New Bedford: ABC6’s original studios were located on County Street in New Bedford when the station signed on the air in 1963. The TV station moved to Providence in 1980.

READ MORE: New Bedford's "Mr. Steadfast" Eagle Statue Started at Channel 6

Time will tell what this move to Channel 10’s subchannel will mean for the life of ABC6.

In the meantime, take a trip back in time with this Channel 6 broadcast from 1986: