Global Broadcasting

Global Broadcasting LLC. was a private broadcasting company in the United States. Global was a Delaware corporation based in San Francisco, California and Providence, Rhode Island and was founded by Kevin O'Brien and Robinson Ewert. Founded in early 2007, Global owned WLNE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Providence from 2007-2011. This was the company's first and only television station, purchased from Irvine, California-based Freedom Communications in 2007, who previously owned WLNE since 1983.[1] The owners of Global Broadcasting planned to expand into other regions of the country; however, they were unable to acquire any additional stations.

Not to be confused with Global Television Network or Canwest Global Communications Corporation.
Global Broadcasting LLC.
Private, LLC
Delaware
IndustryBroadcast Television
Television Production
Fatereceivership, property acquired by Citadel Communications
Founded2007
Defunct2011
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California
Providence, Rhode Island
Area served
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Key people
Kevin O'Brien, President & CEO
Robinson Ewert, Vice President (2007-2009)
Rob Holtzer, Vice President & Director of Sales
Matthew McGowan, Receiver
ProductsBroadcast television

History

When Global took over WLNE, they initiated a major overhaul on the station's lagging news operation. They began by updating the station's logo and constructing a new set. They also introduced new faces in talent and management from around the country. Steve Doerr, a former NBC News executive, was named vice president and general manager.[2] Infamous former Providence mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci was brought on as Chief Political Analyst.[3] Allison Alexander was hired from WOIO in Cleveland, Ohio as the new main anchor.[4] Also, anchor/reporter Paul Mueller and veteran meteorologist Steve Cascione returned to the station.[5]

There was also an increase in the hours of news per week. On January 14, 2008, WLNE launched ABC6 News First At Four, the market's first 4 o'clock newscast. It also featured the market's only 3-person anchor team of Allison Alexander, Melissa Mahan, and Paul Mueller, which was later cut down to 2. With the departure of Chief Meteorologist Mark Searles to WJAR, morning/noon meteorologist Fred Campagna was promoted to Chief, with Steve Cascione taking his place on the renamed Good Morning Providence, which was increased from 1 hour to 2, plus an extra hour on NewsChannel 5, formerly the Rhode Island News Channel (RINC), available only on Cox Cable systems in Rhode Island. Morning anchor John DeLuca was also promoted to co-anchor of the 6 and 11 o'clock newscasts with Alexander. The station's corner "bug" was updated to include time and temperature and a news ticker was added to newscasts. In April 2008, new updated graphics were introduced, a music package from 615 Music began being used, and Bill Ratner was added as station voiceover.

Ratings steadily increased. WLNE promoted its news as "New England's Fastest Growing News" and put more emphasis on hard news coverage and feature reporting than ever before. Some argued that the station was putting too much sensationalism in its news, which was a key factor in Chief Reporter Jim Hummel's decision to leave the station in July 2008 after over a decade with the station. In 2009, the station launched a 10 o'clock Sunday morning newscast in May and a 7 o'clock weeknight newscast in June. They also occasionally aired a 10 o'clock newscast on NewsChannel 5 on nights when sports or other special programming pre-empted the 10 o'clock news on WNAC. At its peak, the station was offering 37 hours of news per week on both ABC6 and NewsChannel 5.

Dispute with CBS Television Distribution

For many years, WLNE carried the syndicated shows Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, and Inside Edition from CBS Television Distribution. However, in mid-2009, the station was unable to reach a carriage agreement with the syndicator, formerly known as King World. At that time, the station was carrying Dr. Phil, Entertainment Tonight, and Inside Edition. As a result of the situation, the shows were dropped on June 5 and quickly moved to WNAC.[6] Temporarily put in their place were Cristina's Court, Family Court with Judge Penny, and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.[7] On June 16, CBS filed a lawsuit against Global Broadcasting for failing to fully pay license fees for the shows and a breach of contract. The syndicator sought $5 million from the company.[8][9]

On June 23, NewsBlues reported that Global Broadcasting co-owner Robinson Ewert had left the company amidst the dispute with CBS. He was replaced by Rob Holtzer, general sales manager at Sunrise Sports and Entertainment, owner of the NHL's Florida Panthers and the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. He is also a former national sales manager at the YES Network in New York.[10]

Receivership

Global Broadcasting filed for receivership (Rhode Island's equivalent to bankruptcy) on July 29, 2010 due to declining advertising revenues. Providence attorney Matthew McGowan was appointed receiver.[11][12] A month later, the station was put up for sale for the second time in four years. According to The Providence Journal, several groups had expressed interest in purchasing the station and a deal was projected to be reached by the end of the year.[13] On December 13, 2010, rumors surfaced that WLNE would be acquired by A.H. Belo Corp., and that its operations would be merged with those of The Providence Journal. However, it was also noted that A.H. Belo Corp. was formed by the spin-off of the non-broadcasting assets of Belo Corporation. Belo itself was considered a likelier candidate due to the strength of its operations in southern and western markets, and its operation of regional news channels much like WLNE's own Newschannel 5.[14]

Sale of WLNE, Demise

On February 10, 2011, Citadel Communications of Bronxville, New York was chosen as the stalking horse bid in the sale of the station with a bid of $4 million. Five other groups (including one led by former Providence mayor Joseph Paolino) were also interested in purchasing the station and had until March 18 to submit competing bids prior to auction.[15] On March 17, ABC notified potential buyers that WLNE's affiliation with the network beyond March 31, 2011 is not assured, which Global Broadcasting CEO Kevin O'Brien said could depress the final price WLNE is sold for at auction.[16] Some observers feared that this could prompt one or more of the six companies believed to be bidding for WLNE to withdraw from bidding for the station, which may even force it off the air if no sale is made. On March 22, Citadel Communications was approved as the new owner of WLNE by receiver Matthew McGowan.[17] The company met the approval of ABC and took over station operation on May 1 under a local marketing agreement (LMA) with McGowan and Global as Global Communications LLC. until the sale was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), at which point Citadel would assume full ownership.[18] Citadel is unrelated to the former Citadel Broadcasting Corporation, which owned several radio stations in the Providence market before being acquired by Cumulus Media in 2011.

CEO Kevin O'Brien tried to appeal the sale of WLNE in court,[19] arguing that attorney McGowan did not try hard enough to achieve a higher sale price for WLNE.[20] However, he did not succeed in his efforts, and on June 1, it was announced that the FCC had approved the license transfer, therefore finalizing the acquisition.[21]

Global Broadcasting was not related to a Canadian network, the Global Television Network, or its parent, Canwest Global Communications.

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References
  1. Lynn Arditi (March 13, 2007). "Deal reached on sale of WLNE - A private company plans to purchase the ABC affiliate". The Providence Journal, pp. E1
  2. "Global brings in new GM for WLNE-TV Ch. 6". Providence Business News. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  3. "ABC6 names "Buddy" Cianci Chief Political Analyst & Contributing Editor". abc6.com. External link in |work= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  4. Rourke, Bryan (30 November 2007). "Ch. 6 to add Allison Alexander". Providence Journal. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  5. Barmann, Tim (9 January 2008). "More staff changes at WLNE Channel 6". Providence Journal. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  6. WNAC (June 29, 2009). "'Phil', ET, Inside Edition get new home". "FOX Providence". Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  7. TVNEWSDAY (June 5, 2009). "WLNE Providence Dropping CTD Syndies". .
  8. Superior Court of Los Angeles County (June 16, 2009). "CBS STUDIOS INC ET AL VS GLOBAL BROADCASTING LLC ET AL, BC415830". Archived 2009-06-13 at the Wayback Machine. Enter Case Number: BC415830.
  9. Joel Rosenblatt (June 16, 2009). "CBS Sues ABC Affiliate Owner Over Broadcasting Fees (Update1)". Bloomberg.com.
  10. Ted Nesi (July 23, 2009). "WLNE-TV shakes up executive ranks". Providence Business News. Archived 2009-07-26 at the Wayback Machine
  11. Malone, Michael (July 29, 2010). "Struggling WLNE In Receivership". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  12. Nesi, Ted (July 29, 2010). "ABC 6 in receivership after ads slide". WPRI.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  13. Smith, Andy (August 30, 2010). "Television station Channel 6 is for sale". Projo.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  14. Fybush, Scott (December 13, 2010). "A TV/Newspaper Merger in Providence?". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  15. Perreault, Denise (February 10, 2011). "Citadel set as 'stalking horse' bid by receiver for WLNE sale". Providence Business News. Archived from the original on February 15, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  16. Ted Nesi (March 17, 2011). "ABC threatens to drop Ch. 6; owner fights price tag". WPRI.com. Archived 2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine
  17. abc6.com (March 22, 2011). "Citadel Communications Named New Owner of ABC6 News".
  18. Ted Nesi (March 22, 2011). "NY’s Citadel buys ABC 6 as judge accepts $4M cash". WPRI.com. Archived 2011-07-28 at the Wayback Machine
  19. Nesi, Ted (3 May 2011). "Ex-owner O'Brien appeals ABC 6 sale to R.I. Supreme Court". WPRI.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  20. Gauthier, Andrew (4 May 2011). "Former Owner Tries to Win Back WLNE". TV Spy. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  21. "Citadel Communications LLC, New Owner of WLNE-TV/ABC6". abc6.com. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
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