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The local network affiliates in Boston all broadcast both analog and digital transmissions, although not all of them are true HDTV. If you choose to get HDTV service from your cable company, most of the major local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS) will come through in HD via the cable HD set-top box, although you will still need an over-the-air antenna and digital tuner if you wish to pick up the digital broadcasts of local channels not offered from your cable company.
If you decide to go with satellite, you’ll need an over-the-air (OTA) antenna such as the Channel Master 4221 bowtie/screen antenna to receive the digital broadcasts of the local networks. You may need to mount this on a 5-10 foot mast on your roof, depending on the topology of your neighborhood.
Here’s a guide to local OTA digital transmissions:
|
Local Broadcaster
|
Network Affiliation
|
Analog Channel
|
Digital Channel
|
Digital Format
|
|
WCVB
|
ABC
|
5
|
20
|
720p
|
|
WBZ
|
CBS
|
4
|
30
|
1080i
|
|
WHDH
|
NBC
|
7
|
42
|
1080i
|
|
WFXT
|
FOX
|
25
|
31
|
720p
|
|
WGBH
|
PBS
|
2
|
19
|
720p
|
|
WGBX
|
PBS
|
44
|
43
|
720p
|
|
WLVI
|
WB
|
56
|
41
|
1080i
|
|
WSBK
|
UPN
|
38
|
39
|
480p
|
|
WBPX
|
PAX
|
32
|
testing
|
480p
|
|
WUNI
|
Univision
|
29
|
29
|
480p
|
|
WUTF
|
Independent
|
66
|
23
|
480p
|
|
WHDN
|
Independent
|
26
|
testing
|
480p
|
|
