According to a story by Andy Smith at projo.com, Citadel was the only one of four bidders present who had reached an agreement with ABC, and that proved to be the decisive factor. Channel 6 is an ABC affiliate, which allows it to air ABC programming. Citadel already owns four TV stations in the Midwest, three of them ABC affiliates.
The other bidders for Channel 6 were a group led by former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino, which bid about $2.2 million; Brine Broadcasting, led by former WPRO-AM general manager Mitch Dolan, which bid $4.2 million; and Liberty Investors Group of Florida, which bid $4.3 million.
Matthew J. McGowan, the court-appointed receiver for the station, recommended the court accept offers from bidders without ABC agreements only if they were willing to put the full bid amount upfront. Subsequently, Brine Broadcasting and Liberty withdrew their bids.
The current affiliation agreement between ABC and Channel 6 is due to expire March 31. McGowan said he was disappointed that ABC had not reached an agreement with at least one other party, which could have resulted in competitive bidding.
Jennifer V. Doran of Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, who represented the network, told the court ABC had been in contact with the other bidders, but had only reached an agreement with Citadel.
Stations: Citadel also owns WOI-DT in Des Moines, Iowa (ABC); WHBF in Rock Island, Ill. (CBS); KLKN in Lincoln, Neb. (ABC); and KCAU in Sioux City, Iowa (ABC).
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