Kevin O’Brien still hasn’t given up on winning back control of the Providence, R.I., ABC affiliate. He will appeal the March 22 sale of the station in a court auction to the Rhode Island Supreme Court, according to his attorney. Citadel Communications took over management of WLNE on Sunday after buying the station at auction in a deal valued at $5.8 million, including $4 million in cash. The FCC must still approve the transaction.
ABC has warned potential buyers of WLNE Providence, R.I., that the station does not come with a guaranteed affiliation contract. “The consent of ABC is required before anyone may operate the station as an ABC affiliate after March 31,” the network said in a court filing. The warning has “effectively chilled the sale process,” said current owner Kevin O’Brien in another filing.
