WTAO

WTAO is a Prime Network affiliate that serves Boston, MA as well as New England. WTAO broadcasts on channel 33, and is owned by Field Communications. Being one of the very few independent stations in Boston, WTAO became an affiliate of Prime TV in 2012.

History
WATO was launched in 1980 by Field Communications. Channel 33's schedule consisted primarily of cartoons, off-network sitcoms, older movies and occasionally, network shows that were preempted by other local stations. However, the station was willing to experiment with such projects as Universal Television's Operation Prime Time and syndicated reruns of National Geographic specials in primetime. Such common independent station programming as a Saturday "Creature Double Feature" (following repeats of The Outer Limits) reached youthful and cult audiences. WATO also broadcasted games for the (then) Hartford Whalers, as well as preseason games for the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, and Boston Celtics.

Prime Affiliation
The Prime Broadcasting Group was looking for some independent stations to become affiliates for the Prime Network. Impressed with WTAO, Prime wanted it to be an affiliate of Prime. Field Communication agreed, and in the year 2012, WTAO became an affiliate of Prime.