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Archive for the 'Providence' Category

Just In: New ND at 12

Published by admin on November 2, 2012. 0 Comments


Providence CBS-affil WPRI has promoted Karen Rezendes to News Director.  Rezendes, who has served in capacity of Assistant News Director as well as Manager of Special Projects during her time at the Rhode Island duopoly, replaces Joe Abouzeid, who left for LIN TV sister station WDTN earlier this year.  WPRI and WNAC GM Patrick Wholey released the following statement:

For the past sixteen years, Karen has played a key role in successfully growing our Eyewitness News ratings. She’s a great leader and possesses an incredible news instinct.  Karen has been instrumental in developing and growing our Target 12 investigative brand and our Eyewitness News brand across all platforms. She’s the perfect person to continue the momentum and success of our news stations and will continue to provide viewers with the high quality of news coverage they’ve come to expect from Eyewitness News.

Karen Rezendes has been with WPRI and WNAC since 1996.  She previously worked at Newport News/Virginia Beach CBS-affil WTKR.

Posted in Providence and WPRI (Eyewitness News). Tags: , , , , .

Citadel Cans Another: Campanga Done at ‘LNE

Published by admin on June 7, 2012. 0 Comments


After showing anchor Allison Alexander, weather guy Jim Corbin, and sports guy Dan Coyne the door at ABC6, owner Citadel Communications is dropping the axe on chief met Fred Campanga.

After joining the basement-dwelling ABC-affil in 1998 with no on-air experience, Campanga worked his way up the ranks to become chief meteorologist.  However, since new owner Citadel Communications took over last year, changes to the on-air presentation have been coming on all sides.

Following a meeting with station brass, the ousted met told GoLocalProv that he and management could not come to an agreement, remarking, “At the appropriate time, I went to channel 6 management with a reasonable proposal that I thought would allow me to stay at the station for, at least, the remainder of my contract (Aug 2013). The station dismissed my proposal out of hand, and we agreed to terminate the contract on July 31.”

His replacement, Kevin Coskren, will be imported from channel 6′s sister station in Nebraska.  Fred Campanga’s last day will be on July 31st.

Posted in Providence, Talent Shuffles and WLNE (ABC6). Tags: , , .
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Inked: NESN Turns to 10 for Rhody Coverage

Published by admin on May 24, 2012. 0 Comments


NESN has come to another content-sharing agreement, this time with NBC10 in Providence.  Similar to the deal inked with CBS-affil WBZ, NESN staffers will appear in cut-ins on the station’s noon and 6 p.m. broadcasts, and WJAR will provide weather reports for the Providence feed of the regional sports net.  In addition, WJAR sports guy Frank Carpano will appear on NESN’s pregame show.

In a press release, NESN president Sean McGrail remarks, “WJAR has been a leader in providing the Providence market with the best news and sports coverage for decades,” adding, “We are proud to partner with WJAR and excited to provide Rhode Island sports fans with more localized coverage through this exceptional affiliation.”

The content-share agreement will begin on Tuesday May 29th.  Via nesn.com

Posted in Boston, NESN, Providence and WJAR (NBC10).
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Good Things Come to Those Who Wait: Paul Mueller Resurfaces in Tampa

Published by admin on May 7, 2012. 2 Comments


Former ’56er Paul Mueller has resurfaced in Tampa as a reporter for regional cable net Bay News 9.  The popular weekender was last seen at WGGB in Springfield before his abrupt departure just over one year ago.

In the time between, Mueller confronted and waged an inspiring battle with his alcoholism.  He relocated to Florida and began to rebuild and renew.  On April 23rd, he celebrated his one-year anniversary alcohol free.

Mueller, a longtime friend and supporter of btvn, wrote on Facebook that he is “grateful and entirely humbled to be allowed to begin the next chapter of [his] career.”

This move comes after several interviews with different outlets in the southeast.  Paul Mueller’s first day at Bay News 9 is Monday May 7th.

Posted in Boston, Providence, WLNE (ABC6) and WLVI (CW56). Tags: , .
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NBC CT Hires Two More

Published by admin on March 12, 2012. 0 Comments

NBC Connecticut has added two new reporters to their growing roster.  Audrey Washington and Todd Piro will be joining the station at the end of the month as reporters.

Washington comes from Providence NBC-affil WJAR, while Piro joins from KPSP in Palm Springs.

When asked by TVSpy, GM David Doebler remarked that he was “thrilled to add Todd and Audrey to our award-winning news team,” adding, “Their sharp journalism skills will add depth to our already strong news team in Connecticut, and will benefit viewers with enhanced coverage of important stories to our state,

Posted in Hartford/New Haven, Providence, WJAR (NBC10) and WVIT (NBC Connecticut). Tags: , .
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Shaking Up at 10: Valicenti Out, Jaehnig In at 11

Published by admin on January 20, 2012. 1 Comment


Longtime Providence anchor Gene Valicenti has been removed from his usual spot on the 11 p.m. broadcast on NBC 10.

According to GoLocalProv, former Fox25er Dan Jaehnig has been promoted from 7p.m. anchor to co-anchor of the station’s flagship broadcast at 11.

Valicenti told TVSpy today that, “WJAR remains my home, and I want the best for the station I’ve been with for 20 years, We’ve had anchor combos switched before.  I don’t know if it rises to a ‘shake-up’ since I still have a full plate, and a lot of work to do.”

The veteran anchor will still continue to solo anchor the station’s 5:30 broadcast, as well as co-anchor at 6.  He also told TVSpy that he may be developing a franchise piece, similar to what Jonathan Hall had planned after being pulled from Today in New England.

Posted in Providence, Talent Shuffles and WJAR (NBC10). Tags: , .

Better Late than Never: 5 Replaces, 10 Steals

Published by admin on October 25, 2011. 3 Comments

NewsCenter5 is adding a new face to the weekend morning anchor team.  Jim Lokay, now ex-transportation reporter at Pittsburgh CBS-affil/’BZ sister station KDKA, finished up at the Pennsylvania station on the 14th and is arriving at 5 TV Place in the very near future.

The Post-Gazette is reporting that the six-year veteran of KDKA and its CW sister station left the duopoly to become a morning co-anchor, but barring any changes on the weekday team, he most likely will be filling Steve Lacy’s old spot, who left the station to become morning anchor at New York’s WNYW.

Also making news this October is WJAR, Rhode Island’s channel 10/ex-NBC O&O, has become embroiled in a plagiarism scandal.  Earlier in the month, a story was posted on their website regarding a Meals on Wheels program in Providence.  That story, however, was discovered to be suspiciously similar to a ProJo story of the same subject.  An inquiry was launched and the story removed.

“The Team You Trust” issued an apology on Friday, bringing to light a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism as well as an apology to the viewers and to the Providence Journal.

Posted in Boston, Providence, WCVB (Channel 5) and WJAR (NBC10). Tags: , .

First on btvn: New Schedule, GM Ousted at 6

Published by admin on April 6, 2011. 1 Comment

The first batch of details have been released from Citadel Communications regarding their plans for WLNE.  Providence’s struggling ABC affiliate will be host to a number of changes, most taking effect by the time May 1st rolls around.

An insider at ABC 6 tells btvn that the daytime programming lineup will be shuffled, moving Who Wants to be a Millionaire? to 4pm.  This means that ABC 6 News First at 4 will be canceled.

In its place, a new newscast at 5pm will debut.  Furthermore, The Insider and Entertainment Tonight will fill the 7pm hour, replacing channel 6′s on-again-off-again newscast during that timeslot.  Hit the jump for the entire new schedule.

Also mentioned by our insider is word that GM Steve Doerr will be leaving his post on May 1st.  This comes after lengthy discussions with Citadel management.  Doerr will continue to serve as a consultant and will help continue the transition from receivership to new ownership.
Continue reading ‘First on btvn: New Schedule, GM Ousted at 6′

Posted in Breaking News, btvn Exclusives, Providence and WLNE (ABC6).

BREAKING: Citadel Bid Chosen for 6; HD on the way

Published by admin on March 22, 2011. 1 Comment

Citadel Communications has been chosen to be the next owner of Providence ABC-affil WLNE.  The New York-based company submitted a bid of $4 million last month, which was also selected as the stalking horse bid for the auction.  Citadel will assume control of the station on May 1st, and could be approved by the FCC by June 1st.

ABC has expressed approval of the sale and has specified that they will renew the contract when it expires at the end of the month.  As you may have heard, ABC had considered a non-renewal if the bidder did not meet their standards.  That would have meant that ABC6 would have to pull ABC branding from their station and website, abc6.com.

In an interview with the CEO of Citadel Communications, the intent to make a speedy and orderly transition to high-definition newscasts was revealed.  All of Citadel’s other properties are broadcasting in HD currently, so the move makes sense from a standardization point of view.

A station insider at channel 6 has told btvn that employees reacted positively to the news and that the new ownership will benefit the station.

Posted in Breaking News, Providence and WLNE (ABC6). Tags: .

ABC6 News at 7: Now Eliminating Rolls, Wires, and Adjustment Straps

Published by admin on March 16, 2011. 2 Comments

WLNE’s 7 p.m. newscast has been relegated to backup status as of this Tuesday.  On that night, the early-prime newscast was shelved in favor of a thirty minute infomercial for the GenieBra.  According to TVSpy, the station made the move to bump the newscast whenever they can sell the space.  This means that in the wake of higher revenues from media companies, viewers in Providence can expect to see many more ads and far fewer broadcasts before primetime begins at 8 p.m.

ABC6, which will be auctioned off next week, has been for sale since late last year.  Its owner, Global Broadcasting, purchased the station in 2007 for $14 million.  Since then, the ABC-affil has struggled to make headway in Providence ratings.

Posted in Providence and WLNE (ABC6). Tags: , .