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WLNE in receivership (Bankrupt)

If a tree falls in the forest...

There are some markets where three television news stations cannot all survive; Providence has been that way for decades.
 
The attorney told the newspaper that the station is expected to stay on the air, but that it may eventually be put up for sale

-------------------

Holy Moly. I've never heard a news report say that a station is "EXPECTED" to stay on the air. In other words, there is still a possibility that it won't. Has there ever been a major affiliate that just totally shut down before? That sure would be rare! This news isn't good at all. But I'm rooting for the underdog. How awesome would it be for ABC to step in and buy the place. Then turn it into the number one station is town. Maybe not likely.... but that sure would be great!
 
Skynet74 said:
Has there ever been a major affiliate that just totally shut down before?
Click to expand...

Sure. You don't even have to look far. WNHT-Ch. 21, which was a CBS affiliate in Concord, NH owned by The Flatley Company, went off the air March 1989. The station remained off the air until the mid '90s, when it was purchased by Boston University as a satellite of WABU-Ch. 68 in Boston.

While WLNE-Ch. 6 may go dark; I would be certain that the ABC Television Network will negotiate to have programming air on a digital multicast station of the surviving Providence majors (Media General's WJAR or LIN's WPRI).
 
I seriously doubt that ABC6 will go dark. Global got overextended as the recession (including 12% unemployment) and the flooding earlier this year adversely affected projected revenues for the station. It doesn't help that WLNE is Global's only station; there aren't healthier stations to offset ABC6's revenue shortfall or help with their fixed costs in operations and administration. Remember their legal tussle with CBS/King World over unpaid syndication fees? They'll restructure their debts just like any other company in reorg. B&C says the station could be sold:

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/455382-Struggling_WLNE_In_Receivership.php
 
Providence, Rhode Island is just below Top 50 in terms of market size.

Plus, who wants to buy a station right now? *hears crickets chirp* Who would WANT WLNE, long #3 in news in Providence; which got drained of much of its syndicated programming by legal action.

People will only want WLNE if they already have resources in the area - of course, Hearst hasn't bought a station in six years, Belo (Prov. Journal) and its broadcast arm are separate companies, and ABC wouldn't want something like battered old 6.
 
WLNE has done a great job with their newscasts since Global took over, but the very weak economy is a major reason for this situation. Viewers reluctance to try another station other that old and tired WJAR is another big reason, and a resurgent WPRI and even now WNAC is not helping either. WLNE 's newscasts are just as good if not much better that those on WJAR, WPRI, or WNAC. Their digital signal is better than their old interference plagued analog signal. I'd like to see WLNE bought (or LMA with Global),by a large broadcaster such as Hearst, Gannett, or Sinclair, who would launch a massive ad campaign for the station's newscasts. Ads on local radio and even TV stations would be beneficial, and maybe the station with new owners could LMA with WLWC, CW 28. This is not your ancestors Channel 6.
 
alg2468 said:
WLNE has done a great job with their newscasts since Global took over...
Click to expand...

Tell me about it. Not only did they increase the number of newscasts, they now have their own cable channel that rebroadcasts the most recent newscast.

Indeed, it is sad this is happening. Not as worse as WTXX in the early 90's, though.
 
newsbot said:
I seriously doubt that ABC6 will go dark. Global got overextended as the recession (including 12% unemployment) and the flooding earlier this year adversely affected projected revenues for the station. It doesn't help that WLNE is Global's only station; there aren't healthier stations to offset ABC6's revenue shortfall or help with their fixed costs in operations and administration. Remember their legal tussle with CBS/King World over unpaid syndication fees? They'll restructure their debts just like any other company in reorg. B&C says the station could be sold:

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/455382-Struggling_WLNE_In_Receivership.php
Click to expand...


The absoulute worse scenerio I may see see is WLNE dropping thier news division flipping to a CW or MY and getting news from another station in Providence or Boston for a 10'oclock newscast.

WLWC or WPXQ picking up ABC. WPXQ carrying ION when they have another affilate in the building in New London is ridiculous and something I don't understand.
 
alg2468 said:
...maybe the station with new owners could LMA with WLWC, CW 28. This is not your ancestors Channel 6.
Click to expand...

You want Nexstar and/or Mission Broadcasting to enter Providence? They are my worst nightmare and my least favorite station chain. If I could I'd gobble up Mission in a heartbeat and restore dignity to stations like WYOU. The FCC needs to regulate LMAs/JSAs/SSAs in a market - you can't outright own 2 of the top 4 in a market, so why should you be able to LMA out + own 2 of the top 4 in a market?
 
Skynet74 said:
So in a worse case scenario where WLNE shuts down, would that mean COX cable would replace it with WCVB from Boston?
Click to expand...

Cox would do this immediately! In fact, I'm sure that there have been contingency discussion in the past 24 hours between Cox and WCVB.

As for the future of WLNE, another possibility is to become a semi-satellite of WCVB. Basically, WLNE would become the "Rhode Island" bureau of WCVB. They could have a couple of reporters stationed in downtown Providence for breaking news, but they could simulcast WCVB's newscasts. Just a thought...
 
Now if WLNE were to pick up ION and just air informercials on off network hours to fatten thier bank account and try to affilate themselves with a Network more credible I can see that.

OR.....I did not say this in my origanal post but a flip to FOX they would only be held to airing a 10'oclock newscast.I think that's what FOX wants.Moving ABC to to WNAC.I remember during the 90's Big affiliation swap between WLNE and WPRI.WLNE expressed interest in FOX.Which would have landed ABC on WNAC.
 
kenwood101 said:
a flip to FOX they would only be held to airing a 10'oclock newscast.I think that's what FOX wants.Moving ABC to to WNAC.I remember during the 90's Big affiliation swap between WLNE and WPRI.WLNE expressed interest in FOX.Which would have landed ABC on WNAC.
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Aren't there quite a number of years remaining on the affiliation contracts of ABC with WLNE, and FOX with WNAC?

Wouldn't the most likely end result of this bankruptcy scenario be that WLNE just simply gets sold off to someone else, and life as perennial also-ran continues for Channel 6?
 
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