top stories
NEW Jack Williams Off at 11 - Veteran WBZ anchor Jack Williams is moving off the anchor desk at 11 p.m. to spend more time with his wife. He will continue to anchor at 6 and 10 but will be replaced by Jonathan Elias for the "Nightbeat"
Larry Ridley to Orlando - Former 7Sports weekender Larry Ridley has taken a position with NewsCenter5 sister station WESH in Orlando, where he will become the station's sports director. He leaves Boston after five years...
Miss CT to Learn About the Weather - Former Miss Connecticut Brittany Decker will begin the process to become a weather presenter with News8, apprenticing with their weather team with the hopes of taking over the AM shift...
7 Rakes in Ratings - Sunday night's Super Bowl was the highest rated football game ever in the Boston market, pulling in a 56.7/81 share according to Neilsen. Total viewers was 114 mil, making SB46 the most watched ever...
Baghdady Renewed at 8 - News8 anchor Sonia Baghdady has come to an agreement with the station, ending weeks of speculation fueled by a posting for her job on the station's website...
Investigative Unit for NBC CT - NBC Connecticut has created a ten-person investigative unit, hiring Chris Coffey from Austin and Sabina Kuriacose from YNN in New York. Reporters Jeff Stoecker and Monica Buchanan were reassigned. The unit is helmed by former ME Sharon Butterworth...
Matt Stairs Hired by NESN - Former baseball player Matt Stairs has been hired by NESN as a studio analyst. After a 19 year career with twelve teams, Stairs retired with the Nationals in 2011...

Archive for the 'Providence' Category

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. 2 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: , .

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: , , , , , .