New Jersey Television Stations and Broadcasting

NJ PBS (formerly NJTV until February 2021) is New Jersey's statewide public television network, operating four full-power stations that reach almost 28 million people across six states. Unlike typical PBS member stations that primarily broadcast national PBS programming, NJ PBS places significant emphasis on producing original content specifically about New Jersey issues, politics, and communities.

The network is owned by the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority (NJPBA), a state government agency, with operations managed by Public Media NJ, a subsidiary of The WNET Group. Key original programs include NJ Spotlight News (nightly news), Caucus: New Jersey (state politics), State of Affairs, and One on One with Steve Adubato. The four stations (WNJT-Trenton, WNJS-Camden, WNJN-Montclair, and WNJB-New Brunswick) ensure comprehensive statewide coverage.

NJ PBS succeeded the New Jersey Network (NJN), which ended operations in 2011, continuing the tradition of New Jersey-focused public media while also broadcasting national PBS programs.

Xfinity (Comcast) currently offers the widest coverage in New Jersey, reaching 99.50% of the state with cable internet and television services. Their network provides speeds up to 2 Gbps for internet and comprehensive channel lineups from both New York and Philadelphia markets, with pricing starting at $30/month.

Verizon FiOS ranks second with 92.80% coverage and offers superior fiber-optic technology (FTTH - Fiber-to-the-Home) delivering up to 2 Gbps speeds with exceptional picture quality and reliability. FiOS uses fiber optic cables for voice, video, and data services, starting at $40/month. Many customers prefer FiOS for its advanced technology despite slightly higher entry pricing.

Optimum (Altice) serves northern and central New Jersey with competitive pricing and has introduced 8 Gig fiber internet in select areas (portions of NY, NJ, and CT). Optimum provides strong customer service and bundled offerings for Newark, Jersey City, and surrounding communities.

Satellite providers DIRECTV and DISH Network are available statewide, offering alternatives in areas where cable or fiber infrastructure may be limited. Coverage and pricing vary by neighborhood, so it's recommended to check availability at your specific address on each provider's website.

Yes, many central New Jersey residents can receive broadcast signals from both the New York and Philadelphia markets, particularly in counties like Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Monmouth. The ability to receive both sets of stations depends on several factors:

• Geographic Location: Communities roughly equidistant from both cities have the best chance of receiving both markets' over-the-air signals
• Antenna Quality and Placement: A high-quality outdoor antenna mounted at proper height significantly improves reception from both markets (50+ miles away in opposite directions)
• Terrain: Hills, buildings, and other obstructions can block signals, making some stations unavailable
• Signal Strength: Over-the-air TV signals typically cover a 50-mile radius, so locations within this range from both cities benefit most

Cable and satellite subscribers in central New Jersey are typically assigned to either the New York or Philadelphia DMA based on their county and zip code, receiving local channels from only one market. However, some cable systems may carry select stations from both markets, particularly for news coverage. Check with your provider about which DMA your address is assigned to and whether any out-of-market stations are available.

New Jersey residents have several excellent options for New Jersey-focused news coverage:

News 12 New Jersey is the premier 24-hour local news service dedicated exclusively to New Jersey. Since its 1996 launch, News 12 NJ has become the most-watched local news service in the state, earning 21 New York Emmy Awards, 42 New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists Awards, and six Edward R. Murrow Awards. The channel provides around-the-clock breaking news, weather, traffic, sports, and community coverage focused on New Jersey counties, towns, and neighborhoods.

NJ Spotlight News (on NJ PBS) offers comprehensive nightly news coverage of state government, politics, education, and community issues from a New Jersey perspective. The network also airs public affairs programs like Caucus: New Jersey, State of Affairs, and Reporters Roundtable that dive deep into Garden State issues.

WWOR-TV (MY9NJ) provides New Jersey-specific news, weather, and politics coverage through programs like Chasing News, which focuses on issues affecting New Jersey residents.

Major network affiliates (WNBC, WABC, WCBS from New York; WCAU, WPVI, KYW from Philadelphia) all maintain New Jersey bureaus and dedicate substantial coverage to Garden State news, though their primary focus remains on their respective cities. These stations provide comprehensive weather forecasting and traffic reporting that covers New Jersey extensively.

As of November 2025, 18 full-power television stations are licensed to communities in New Jersey, along with several low-power stations. These 18 stations are divided between the two major markets: approximately 10 serve the New York DMA (covering northern and central New Jersey), while 8 serve the Philadelphia DMA (covering southern New Jersey).

The stations include a diverse mix of programming:

• Public Television: 5 stations (WNET in Newark plus four NJ PBS stations: WNJT-Trenton, WNJS-Camden, WNJN-Montclair, WNJB-New Brunswick)
• Spanish-Language: Multiple stations including WNJU (Telemundo-Linden), WFUT (UniMás-Newark), and others
• Independent Stations: WMBC-TV (Estrella TV-Newton) with 1,000 kW effective radiated power
• Network Affiliates: WWOR-TV (MyNetworkTV-Secaucus) and others

Many stations utilize digital subchannels to multicast additional programming such as PBS Kids (WNET-DT 13.2), TeleXitos (WNJU 47.2), and Buzzr (WWOR-TV 9.3), significantly expanding viewer options beyond the main channel. This reflects New Jersey's position within the nation's largest television markets and its diverse population of approximately 9.5 million residents requiring programming in multiple languages and formats.

The New Jersey Network (NJN) was a network of public television and radio stations serving New Jersey as a member of PBS for television and NPR for radio. NJN provided New Jersey-focused programming, news, and educational content for decades and was well-regarded for its local journalism and public affairs coverage.

Due to state budget constraints, New Jersey Network ended operations on June 30, 2011. The television network was succeeded by NJTV (now branded as NJ PBS), which began operations shortly after NJN's closure. The transition maintained public television service in New Jersey but under a new operational structure.

The New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority (NJPBA) continues to own the licenses for the state's PBS stations but outsources operations to Public Media NJ, a subsidiary of The WNET Group (which operates New York's Channel 13). This partnership arrangement allows New Jersey to maintain statewide public television service while leveraging WNET's resources and expertise.

The New Jersey Network Collection is preserved by the American Archive of Public Broadcasting, maintaining access to NJN's historical programming and documentaries for research and educational purposes. On February 24, 2021, NJTV rebranded as "NJ PBS" to align with the 2019 PBS national rebrand, marking another evolution in New Jersey's public broadcasting history.

WMBC-TV (Channel 63) is a full-power independent television station licensed to Newton, New Jersey, serving the New York metropolitan area as an affiliate of Estrella TV. What makes WMBC unique is its ownership, history, and community-focused multicultural programming approach.

Unique Characteristics:

• Independent Ownership: WMBC is owned by Mountain Broadcasting Corporation (not related to Mountain Lake PBS in upstate New York), founded in 1985 by a group of Korean Americans led by Reverend Sun Young Joo of Wayne, New Jersey
• Powerful Signal: Broadcasting with 1,000 kilowatts of effective radiated power ensures wide coverage across the New York DMA and New Jersey
• Local Studios: Maintains studios on Clinton Road in West Caldwell, New Jersey, rather than operating from New York City like many other stations serving the market
• Multicultural Programming: Features foreign language news and information programming, international shows, and content serving diverse ethnic communities
• Community News: WMBC News provides daily coverage of local news and community events specifically in Sussex County, NJ, and the tri-state metropolitan region
• Educational Content: Offers children's programming that is both fun and educational, filling a niche in the market

The station began operations on April 26, 1993, originally with a Christian religious format running programs from FamilyNet, but has evolved into a multicultural independent station. WMBC-TV's HD programming is available over-the-air, on cable TV, FiOS, and satellite TV throughout the New Jersey-New York metropolitan area, making it accessible to a wide audience across multiple platforms.