Citadel Communications announced today that its acquisition of WLNE has been finalized.
In March, a judge accepted Citadel’s $5.8 million bid for the financially troubled ABC-affiliate in a Superior Court auction.
“The Federal Communications Commission approved the license transfer quickly and we are thrilled to take ownership,” said Citadel owner and CEO Phil Lombardo.
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WLNE vice president and general manager Chris Tzianabos, who Citadel hired in April to execute the company’s vision for improving the station, described the occasion as “a great day for the employees of WLNE.”
Lombardo also took the opportunity to announce that WLNE plans to be broadcasting in full HD by September, which represents a $1 million investment by Citadel.