Chris Tzianabos, who was general sales manager of Fox-owned WXFT for nine years, will take command of the ABC affiliate in Providence, R.I., on May 1. With bid of $4 million, Citadel bought the financially troubled station at auction last month. It will operate the station under an LMA until it closes on the purchase sometime this summer.
It’s “good-bye Genie Bra” infomercials in the 7 PM news slot as Citadel Communications takes over the beleaguered WLNE in May. The company’s CEO, Philip Lombardo, says his team is getting ready for a major overhaul, rebuilding programming, equipment and morale.
Marc Fauci jumps from WLNE Providence to WFXT Dedham, MA, part of the Boston DMA. His new title is vice president and general sales manager.
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.
On Tuesday night, the Providence, R.I., ABC affiliate’s 7 p.m. newscast was replaced by an infomercial for the Genie Bra. The newscast was “developed as an alternative to expensive syndication in prime access,” says News Director Dan Fabrizio. “From time to time, the station sells that time period.” The station is currently up for sale.
As a dangerous arctic wave settles over New England, Global Broadcasting’s ABC affiliate WLNE Providence, R.I. (DMA 53) and Petro Oil are combining resources to come to the aid of Southern New Englanders who are unable to heat their homes. Prompted by e-mails and calls from viewers looking for help, the station launched Operation: Warm […]
Exclusives
Six legitimate bidders have expressed interest in for WLNE Providence, says Steve Doerr, VP-GM of the Global Broadcasting ABC affiliate. One from that group will be deemed the best fit by the court-appointed receiver in the next few weeks.
Rentrak Corp. today announced a multi-year StationView Essentials contract with Global Broadcasting for its ABC affiliate WLNE Providence, R.I. (DMA 53). The deal expands Rentrak’s market reach into the Providence-New Bedford market and provides Global Broadcasting and its agency and advertiser clients with continuous, granular and stable electronic measurement for the buying and selling of […]
