History of NBC Sports Boston in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 30, 2025

NBC Sports Boston is a regional sports network owned by NBC Sports Group, a division of NBCUniversal. It primarily broadcasts coverage of professional sports events in New England, especially focusing on Boston-area teams. Besides live games, the network also airs original analysis, magazine, and entertainment programs related to sports. NBC Sports Boston is available on cable in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, and nationally via DirecTV.

November 6, 1981: PRISM New England Launched

On November 6, 1981, PRISM New England was launched. It was a spin-off of Philadelphia's PRISM, founded by Spectacor. The network carried entertainment, NHL's Hartford Whalers, NBA's Boston Celtics, and college sports.

1981: Airing of Hartford Whalers

From its launch in 1981, NBC Sports Boston carried games from the NHL's Hartford Whalers.

1982: Spectacor sold PRISM New England to Cablevision Systems Corporation

In 1982, Spectacor sold PRISM New England to Cablevision Systems Corporation.

January 1, 1983: PRISM New England rebranded as SportsChannel New England

On January 1, 1983, PRISM New England was rebranded as SportsChannel New England. It became the second network of the SportsChannel group.

1983: Airing of Boston Breakers

In 1983, NBC Sports Boston served as the television home of the Boston Breakers of the United States Football League.

November 1996: Fox Sports Net Created

In November 1996, News Corporation and Liberty Media created a new group of regional sports networks, branded as Fox Sports Net.

June 30, 1997: News Corporation and Liberty Media Purchased Interest in SportsChannel

On June 30, 1997, News Corporation and Liberty Media purchased a 40% interest in Cablevision's sports properties, including the SportsChannel networks.

1997: Hartford Whalers relocated

In 1997, the NHL's Hartford Whalers relocated to North Carolina and became the Carolina Hurricanes.

January 28, 1998: SportsChannel New England rebranded as Fox Sports New England

On January 28, 1998, SportsChannel New England was officially rebranded as Fox Sports New England. MediaOne acquired a 50% interest in the network that month.

January 1, 2000: Fox Sports New England becomes an FSN affiliate.

On January 1, 2000, Fox Sports New England officially became an FSN affiliate and was later rebranded as Fox Sports Net New England.

January 2001: AT&T Proposed Sale of MediaOne Stake

In January 2001, AT&T Corp. proposed to sell MediaOne stake, including its interest in the network, in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission.

November 2002: Comcast acquired the stake in November 2002

In November 2002, Comcast acquired MediaOne stake as part of its merger with AT&T Broadband.

2004: Network name shortened to FSN New England

In 2004, the network's name was shortened to FSN New England, de-emphasizing the "Fox Sports Net" brand.

February 2005: Cablevision acquired News Corporation's interest in FSN New England

In February 2005, Cablevision acquired News Corporation's interest in FSN New England, FSN New York, and FSN Chicago in a trade deal.

2006: Airing of Hartford Wolf Pack

From 1997 to 2006, NBC Sports Boston carried select Hartford Wolf Pack games.

April 30, 2007: Comcast to Purchase Cablevision's Stakes

On April 30, 2007, Comcast announced that it would purchase Cablevision's stakes in FSN New England and FSN Bay Area, giving it full ownership of FSN New England.

October 1, 2007: Network Rebranded as Comcast SportsNet New England

On October 1, 2007, the network was rebranded as Comcast SportsNet New England.

August 2008: CSN New England Revamped with New Graphics

In August 2008, CSN New England was revamped with a new logo and graphics package.

December 2009: Premiere of SportsNet Central

In December 2009, Comcast SportsNet New England premiered its own sports news program, SportsNet Central.

2010: Exclusive Television Provider for the New England Revolution

In 2010, NBC Sports Boston became the exclusive television provider for the New England Revolution.

2011: Comcast SportsNet Integrated into NBC Sports Group

In 2011, Comcast SportsNet was integrated into the new NBC Sports Group, adding the peacock logo. That year, the network extended their rights deal with the Boston Celtics, with the team acquiring a 20% equity stake.

2011: Airing of Maine Celtics

Since 2011, NBC Sports Boston has been airing the NBA G League's Maine Celtics games.

August 1, 2012: CSN New England Drops FSN Programming

On August 1, 2012, Comcast SportsNet New England, along with four other CSN networks, dropped FSN programming after failing to reach a deal.

August 6, 2014: Dish Network Drops Comcast SportsNet New England

On August 6, 2014, Dish Network dropped Comcast SportsNet New England due to a dispute over retransmission consent fees.

October 2, 2017: Comcast Rebranded as NBC Sports Boston

On October 2, 2017, Comcast rebranded the network as NBC Sports Boston, as part of a larger rebranding under the NBC Sports brand.

2020: Revolution Broadcasts Moved

During the shortened 2020 season due to the pandemic, the Revolution moved its broadcasts to CBS Affiliate WBZ-TV and MyNetworkTV Affiliate WSBK-TV in Boston.

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