KSBW-TV 8, the NBC affiliate serving Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz and the No. 1 station on California’s Central Coast, will continue as the region’s NBC station, but, as a result of a new affiliation agreement, will add the ABC network line-up to its digital multicast channel.

Beginning spring 2011, popular ABC primetime, daytime and network news programs -- as well as top syndicated shows -- will be available locally throughout the Central Coast, on over-the-air channel 8.2. The new ABC multicast channel will also be carried on Comcast Cable. KSBW-TV local and NBC Network programming will continue to be seen on KSBW’s primary over-the-air channel 8 as well as Comcast Channel 6 and Comcast HD channel 706.

“Digital TV spectrum enables us to bring the Central Coast more great programs and increased choices,” stated Joseph W. Heston, President and General Manager of KSBW. “The Central Coast has never had a local ABC affiliate. Now we can bring viewers NBC shows, plus the great line up from ABC. Best of all, the No.1 rated newscast in our region, ‘KSBW Action News 8,’ will be seen on both channels.”

"We are looking forward to a strong distribution relationship with KSBW," said ABC Affiliate Relations Senior V.P. John Rouse. "This will mark our 14th ABC affiliation with Hearst Television, a valued media ally in delivering exceptional programming to local markets."

KSBW parent Hearst Television Inc. is the largest ABC affiliate group owner; it currently owns 13 ABC-affiliated stations in markets including Boston, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Milwaukee, West Palm Beach, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Omaha, Honolulu, Manchester, NH; Portland-Auburn, ME; Jackson, MS; and Fort Smith/Fayetteville, AR.

Historically, KNTV in San Jose was the nearest ABC affiliated station geographically for the Central Coast region. When that station became the NBC affiliate for the San Francisco market in 2001, the Central Coast was left without ABC service. Comcast viewers and satellite users had various long-distance ABC choices (San Francisco or Los Angeles stations), but no local ABC affiliate for over-the-air antenna TV owners in Santa Cruz, the Monterey Peninsula, or the Salinas Valley. KSBW’s digital sub-channel 8.2 will now broadcast ABC programs locally, in addition to important local news, weather, and emergency information.

Hearst Television Inc. is a leading local media company comprising 29 television stations and two radio stations. The Company’s television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America’s largest television station groups. It also owns more than two dozen websites and multicasts more than two dozen digital channels providing news, weather and entertainment programming. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation. The Company’s Web address is www.hearsttelevision.com.