Citadel Hires Ex-Boston GSM To Run WLNE

Chris Tzianabos, who was general sales manager of Fox-owned WXFT for nine years, will take command of the ABC affiliate in Providence, R.I., on May 1. With bid of $4 million, Citadel bought the financially troubled station at auction last month. It will operate the station under an LMA until it closes on the purchase sometime this summer.

By Staff | April 25, 2011 | 12:53 p.m. ET.

Chris Tzianabos is the man who will attempt to resurrect WLNE Providence, R.I., the troubled ABC affiliate that went into receivership last year.

Citadel Communications LLC, which bought the WLNE $4 million at auction last month, has hired Tzianabos to run it as VP and GM.

Tzianabos’ background is in sales. He was VP and GSM at WFXT Boston from August 2000 to May 2009. And, prior to that, he was local sales manager for WXFT; national sales manager for Sunbean Television’s NBC affiliate in Boston, WHDH; and local sales manager for the New England Sports Network.

The appointment is effective May 1, when Citadel is set to take control of the station under a local marketing agreement. Citadel expects to close on its purchase of the station this summer after the FCC approves the deal.

“Chris has a long employment history in New England and earned the respect of the business community during his long tenure in the Boston market,” said Citadel President Ray Cole in a press release.

“He’s uniquely qualified to re-position WLNE/ABC6 in a way that better serves Providence and all of Rhode Island. We are extremely pleased to have an executive of his caliber taking the helm of WLNE/ABC6.”

BRAND CONNECTIONS

Tzianabos, in the press release, said he was thrilled with the challenge. “This is a very exciting time as we move forward with our goals to improve the quality of ABC6’s programming and overall level of community service on the station, especially our plans to convert our local broadcasts to HD.”