TELEVISION - June 19, 1991

NBC Shuts Bureau: NBC News has notified its staff in Boston that the network’s Boston bureau will be closed as of Sept. 1. Correspondent Fred Briggs and a producer will stay on, working from a not-yet determined location. NBC and network news divisions of ABC and CBS have been evaluating their news-gathering costs in the past several months, in the wake of a heavy outlay to cover the Gulf War, a loss of advertising because of the recession and a steady loss of viewers to cable TV, Fox Broadcasting, VCRs and syndicated reality shows. More layoffs, cutbacks and bureau closings are expected, according to an NBC executive speaking on condition of anonymity.