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Archive for the 'WLNE (ABC6)' Category

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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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: , .

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: , .

Fmr. Providence Mayor Bids on 6

Published by admin on February 14, 2011. 1 Comment

Former Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino, Jr. announced his intentions to submit a counteroffer to Citadel Communications’ $4 million bid for WLNE.  According to The Providence Journal, Paolino and a group of unspecified investors will submit a bid for the troubled ABC-affiliate.  Under terms laid out by the stalking horse bidder, any counteroffer must exceed the original bid, plus add the $150,000 breakup fee, and be at least $50,000 higher than the stalking horse bid.

Any and all bidders have until March 18th to submit a bid, as the station will be auctioned off on March 22nd.  The station’s current owner, Global Broadcasting, purchased channel 6 in 2007 for $14 million.  The current bid of $4 million is described by Citadel CEO Phil Lombardo as “[being] the proper value.”

Photo credit: Corey Welch via flickr.com

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

Breaking News: Citadel Communications is the Stalking Horse

Published by admin on February 10, 2011. 1 Comment

Citadel Communications has been revealed as the stalking horse bidder at WLNE.  The company has submitted a bid of $4 million for the station.  Court-appointed receiver Matthew McGowan released the name of the company at a meeting today with station employees.  He stated that Citadel was chosen as the lead bidder because they are “established, successful and financially secure.”

Citadel Communications currently owns four television stations in the mid west and has offices in New York and Las Vegas.  If their bid is successful, WLNE will be in the largest market that the company owns a station in.  Their other stations, three ABC affiliates and a CBS affil, are solid performers in their respective markets.  Other bidders have until March 18th to submit a bid, and the station will be auctioned off on March 22nd.

This is not to be confused with Citadel Broadcasting, the radio station operator.  btvn has learned of the difference and will specify the two companies in the future.

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

btvn Exclusive: New Details in WLNE Sale Emerge

Published by admin on February 9, 2011. 1 Comment

More details have emerged regarding Providence’s WLNE/ABC 6.  As we reported earlier, there have been reports of six interested bidders for the struggling station.  However, the names of three possible parties have emerged, bringing an entirely new realm of possibilities for Rhode Island’s Fastest Growing Station.

WLNE is definitely bringing out the big guns for its planned sale in March.  A station insider spotted executives from three large companies, Belo, Nexstar, and Citadel, touring the station over the past few weeks.

Belo Corp. has been on a hot streak as of recently.  The Dallas-based company posted a huge jump in earnings per share, going from $0.22 per share in 4th quarter 2009 to $0.39 in Q4 2010.  In addition, the company’s website features a category for “Mid-Atlantic and Providence, RI” despite not owning a station in that market.  This, however, may not be an indicator of things to come, as a quick check of the Wayback Machine showed that this category had been in existence since at least 2009.

Nexstar Broadcasting is another strong contender.  Owner of mostly small market television stations, Nexstar’s stations are mostly underfunded mouthpieces of their respective networks.  However, their fifty station portfolio holds their own in their respective markets.  As a sidenote, many of Nexstar’s properties are owned by shell-corporation Mission Broadcasting and operated under JSAs with Nexstar. The company currently operates WLWC, so a “virtual duopoly” may be in the cards.

The third group, Citadel Broadcasting, is the owner of a diverse group of radio stations, mostly affiliated with ABC.  This could be a natural extension of the brand for Citadel.  However, they have not been immune from the slowdown in advertising revenue and listeners.

The real Citadel is Citadel Communications, a New York-based company with four television stations in smaller markets in the mid west.  Citadel has been selected as the leading bidder for the station.

btvn has contacted these outlets for comment, but responses have yet to be issued.

In a memo obtained by btvn, WLNE general manager Steve Doerr stated that once the initial “stalking horse” bid was submitted, the subsequent offers should be made and the deal closed by March.  WLNE was sold to Global Broadcasting in 2007 for $14 million.  The station entered receivership last year and has been for sale for a short time.

Posted in Breaking News, btvn Exclusives, Providence, WLNE (ABC6) and WLWC (CW28). Tags: , , , , , .

Six Bidders Vye for Struggling WLNE

Published by admin on January 20, 2011. 0 Comments

Station-in-distress WLNE has six bidders vying for contention.  According to Broadcasting & Cable, the struggling Providence ABC affiliate has received interest from six different firms after entering into receivership in July 2010.

Steve Doerr, the station’s Vice-President and General Manager, explained that the station has received significant interest and that a decision will be made over the next few weeks.  “It’s a slow process but we’re getting there,” he explained, adding that he could not disclose the names of the interested parties due to a confidentiality agreement.

WLNE’s parent company, Global Broadcasting of New England, acquired the station in 2007 for $14 million from Freedom Communications, which is also facing financial problems.  That company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2009.  New York-based media brokerage firm Cobb Corp. is handling the sale.

Sources: Broadcasting & Cable, Delaware Bankruptcy Ligitation

Photo credit to DTVDXer via Flickr.com

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