View source for WLNE-TV

{{Short description|Television station in New Bedford, Massachusetts}}
{{redirect|WLNE|the defunct educational cable channel in Pensacola, Florida|WSRE#WLNE}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign               = WLNE-TV
| city                   = New Bedford, Massachusetts
| logo                   = WLNE 2024.svg
| logo_size              = 200px
| branding               = ABC 6
| digital                = 24 ([[UHF]])
| virtual                = 6
| affiliations           = {{ubl|'''6.1:''' [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| translators            =
| subchannels            =
| network                =
| country                = United States
| founded                = {{start date and age|1963|01|01|p=y}}
| last_airdate           =
| location               = {{ubl|[[New Bedford, Massachusetts]]|[[Providence, Rhode Island]]}}
| callsign_meaning       = "We Love New England"
| former_callsigns       = {{ubl|WTEV (1963–1980)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 6 ([[VHF]], 1963–2009)|'''Digital:''' 49 (UHF, 2004−2019)}}
| owner                  = [[Standard Media]]
| licensee               = WLNE Providence License [[LLC]]
| sister_stations        =
| former_affiliations    = {{ubl|ABC (1963–1977)|[[CBS]] (1977–1995)}}
| erp                    = 294 kW
| haat                   = {{convert|302|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| class                  =
| facility_id            = 22591
| coordinates            = {{coord|41|51|55.4|N|71|17|12.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority    = [[FCC]]
| website                = {{URL|https://www.abc6.com/}}
}}
'''WLNE-TV''' (channel 6) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]], United States, serving as the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate for the [[Providence, Rhode Island]], area. The station is owned by [[Standard Media]], and maintains studios in the Orms Building in downtown Providence; its transmitter is based in [[Rehoboth, Massachusetts]].

==History==
===Early years (1963–1977)===
The station began broadcasting on January 1, 1963, as WTEV from studios on 430 County Street in New Bedford.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://menujoy.com/wtev/ |title = WTEV - New Bedford: Due To Circumstances Beyond Our Control...}}</ref> The station's inaugural broadcast actually began at 11:58 p.m. on December 31, 1962, with the playing of "[[Auld Lang Syne]]" by [[Mitch Miller]], followed by greetings from local political and religious leaders.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Inaugural broadcast |series=Special program |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAljCRBE9Wc |access-date=March 11, 2023 |station=WTEV (WLNE-TV) |location=New Bedford, MA |date=December 31, 1962 |minutes=00:00 |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> WTEV's transmitter was located in [[Little Compton, Rhode Island]], with the antenna mounted on a {{convert|500|ft|m|sp=us|adj=on}} tower; a few years later, WTEV moved to a {{convert|950|ft|m|sp=us|adj=on}} tower in [[Tiverton, Rhode Island|Tiverton]]. The Tiverton transmitter was still {{convert|20|mi|km|0}} away from the transmitter sites in Rehoboth used by the existing stations in the Providence market, [[WJAR-TV]] (channel 10) and WPRO-TV (channel 12, now [[WPRI-TV]]). However, WTEV could not build a tower in Rehoboth due to the risk of interference with [[WRGB]] in [[Schenectady, New York]], [[WCSH-TV]] in [[Portland, Maine]], and [[WFIL-TV]] in [[Philadelphia]], which all broadcast on channel 6 in the analog era. Before cable arrived in Rhode Island in the early 1970s, this resulted in viewers experiencing reception problems with WTEV because of its signal being sent from a different direction than WJAR-TV and WPRO-TV/WPRI-TV. This forced viewers to mount their outdoor antennas on rotators to get a passable signal from the station. The ensuing signal problems would be the bane of channel 6's existence for 45 years.

ABC had a curious history in Rhode Island prior to WTEV's sign-on. In the earliest years of television in Providence, all four networks (including [[DuMont Television Network|DuMont]]) were shoehorned on primary [[NBC]] affiliate WJAR-TV, at that time the market's only television station (WJAR carried about half of NBC's and [[CBS]]' programming, but very few ABC or DuMont shows). [[WNET (Rhode Island)|WNET]] launched on channel 16 in 1954 as an ABC affiliate. However, it was forced off the air in 1955 due to the difficulties faced by UHF startups at the time. Since television manufacturers were not required to include UHF tuning capability on television sets prior to 1964, viewers needed an expensive converter (or an all-channel set, the latter being very rare at the time) to watch WNET, and the picture was marginal at best even with one. For the seven years prior to channel 6's sign-on, WJAR and CBS affiliate WPRO-TV cherry-picked ABC programming, usually airing it in off-hours but occasionally preempting their primary network's schedule. Much of Rhode Island could access the full ABC schedule from [[Boston]] stations—[[WHDH-TV (defunct)|WHDH-TV]] (channel 5, now occupied by [[WCVB-TV]]) prior to January 1, 1961, and [[WNAC-TV (defunct)|WNAC-TV]] (channel 7, presently occupied by the present-day [[WHDH (TV)|WHDH]] [not to be confused with the now-defunct WHDH on channel 5]) from 1961 to 1963.

Even though Providence was big enough to support three full network affiliates, it soon became apparent that channel 16 would not be resurrected in the near future. The owners of the future WTEV decided to seek a waiver of FCC technical regulations to allow VHF channel 6 to be added to the FCC's ''Table of Allocations''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/spectrum |title = Radio Spectrum Allocation {{!}} Federal Communications Commission|date = March 2, 2011}}</ref> The channel 6 license had originally been allocated to the island of [[Nantucket]] off [[Cape Cod]], in the Boston market. However, at the time, [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) rules required that a station have its studios and offices located in its community of license, and numerous FCC filings argued that it was not practical to operate a full-service television station from Nantucket. Since a channel 6 allocation in the Providence area would have been short-spaced to WCSH-TV, WFIL-TV and WRGB, the FCC allocation was modified to New Bedford—the nearest city on the Massachusetts side of the market where a transmitter could be built that could decently cover Providence while protecting all three stations from interference.

New Bedford and [[Bristol County, Massachusetts|Bristol County]] are part of the Rhode Island market due to Rhode Island's small geographic size, even though the rest of eastern Massachusetts is in the Boston market (counties were assigned by [[Arbitron]] and [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]] to a particular television market based upon their viewing patterns). The advent of satellite television made this an irritation to some Massachusetts subscribers of services such as [[DirecTV]] and [[Dish Network]] who are unable to receive Massachusetts news and sports from Boston stations. The FCC allows network affiliates to prevent satellite subscribers from receiving network stations from outside the station's designated market. Bristol County is the only part of Massachusetts associated with Rhode Island for television purposes.

WTEV was founded by WTEV Television, Inc.,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.tv-signoffs.com/audio/1964signoffs/WTEV-signoff-1964.mp3 |title=WTEV-signoff-1964.mp3 |year=1964 |type=Radio broadcast |publisher=tv-signoffs.com |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310104010/http://www.tv-signoffs.com/audio/1964signoffs/WTEV-signoff-1964.mp3 |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |url-status=live |format=MP3}}</ref> a group that was 55-percent owned by E. Anthony and Sons, publisher of the New Bedford ''[[The Standard-Times (New Bedford)|Standard-Times]]'' and owner of WNBH radio ([[WNBH|1340 AM]] and 98.1 FM, now [[WCTK]]); the remaining 45 percent was held by New England Television, the holder of the license for the old WNET.<ref name="by1964">{{cite periodical |title=New Bedford |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1964/BC-YB-1964-New.pdf#page=52 |periodical=Broadcasting Yearbook |year=1964 |pages=A-24, A-26 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> In 1966, shortly after E. Anthony and Sons sold the ''Standard-Times'' and WNBH, WTEV was purchased by Steinman Stations of [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="b-saletosteinman">{{cite magazine |title=TV station sales top $6.5 million Steinman buys WTEV, Medallion Pictures signs for WDTV, McLendon re-enters TV |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-02-14-BC.pdf#page=52 |magazine=Broadcasting |date=February 14, 1966 |pages=52, 54 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>

===Switch to CBS (1977–1995)===
On June 27, 1977, WTEV swapped affiliations with WPRI and became a CBS affiliate after [[Knight Ridder]] Television, which had just purchased WPRI, cut an affiliation deal that switched two of the three television stations it owned at the time to ABC. At the time, ABC was aggressively pursuing strong NBC and CBS affiliates to switch as their ratings rose during the late 1970s, and succeeded in persuading some longtime NBC and CBS stations to switch (as an example, [[KSTP-TV]] in [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul]] and [[WSB-TV]] in [[Atlanta]], both longtime NBC affiliates, switched to ABC during that period).

In 1979, the Steinmans sold WTEV and their flagship station, [[WGAL-TV]] in Lancaster, to [[Pulitzer, Inc.|Pulitzer Publishing]]. This sale reunited them with [[KOAT-TV]] in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], which had been sold to Pulitzer in 1969. Pulitzer changed channel 6's call letters to the present-day WLNE-TV on September 8, 1980. The new call letters were used as a promotional acronym: "We Love New England". The WTEV call sign was later used on the CBS affiliate in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], from March 1996 until September 2014, when that station changed its call sign to [[WJAX-TV]]. Under Pulitzer, the station acquired studio space in the Orms Building in downtown Providence. Within a few years, most of the station's main operations were moved to Providence. The original New Bedford facility was used as a [[news bureau]], secondary studio, and sales office through the late 1980s.

In 1983, Pulitzer sold WLNE to [[Freedom Communications]]. This sale was necessary because Pulitzer had acquired WFBC-TV (now [[WYFF]]) in [[Greenville, South Carolina]], and [[WXII-TV]] in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]], that same year, leaving the company one VHF station over the FCC's ownership limit of the time.

===Return to ABC (1995–present)===
CBS announced in March 1995 that it would purchase WPRI-TV and move its programming there.<ref name="ap-wpricbs">{{cite news |title=CBS Agrees to Buy Providence TV Station WPRI-TV |url=https://apnews.com/article/230a47ceeb6b485a8d9c5890a857c7fc |access-date=February 2, 2021 |work=[[Associated Press News]] |date=March 3, 1995}}</ref> That May, Freedom agreed to affiliate WLNE with ABC in a long-term deal tied to the renewal of the network's affiliation with [[WTVC]] in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]]; in the process, it rejected a bid by [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] to move its affiliation from [[WNAC-TV]] (channel 64, and the legal successor to the former WNET) to WLNE.<ref name="v-wlneabc">{{cite news |last1=Flint |first1=Joe |title=ABC holds on to Freedom |url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/abc-holds-on-to-freedom-99127510/ |access-date=February 2, 2021 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 8, 1995}}</ref> At midnight on September 10, 1995, WPRI and WLNE reversed the 1977 swap; WLNE then began calling itself ABC6.<ref name="projo">{{cite news |last1=Krieger |first1=Elliot |title=Channels switch networks tonight |url=https://providencejournal.newsbank.com/doc/news/1525201870D34868# |access-date=March 19, 2023 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |date=September 9, 1995 |page=A-01}}</ref>

Early in the afternoon of May 4, 2005, WLNE's analog transmitter was knocked off the air due to a faulty section of transmission line on the tower. The transmitter had been running at 80% power due to another unrelated technical problem that occurred approximately two weeks earlier. Although Dish Network [[satellite television|satellite]] and some [[cable television|cable]] systems continued to receive broadcasts through fiber optic connections, [[Terrestrial television|over-the-air]] and DirecTV satellite subscribers were left without a local ABC affiliate (DirecTV gets its signal via antenna). Some cable providers made special temporary arrangements to carry Boston ABC station WCVB during this outage. The WLNE transmitter was operational again late Thursday evening after 32 hours off the air.<ref>Paul Grimaldi and Timothy C. Barmann (May 7, 2005). "Channel 6 off air for over a day". ''[[The Providence Journal]]'', pp. B1–2.</ref>

===Sale to Global Broadcasting===
In August 2006, ''[[The Providence Journal]]'' reported that WLNE was put up for sale.<ref>Timothy C. Barmann (August 17, 2006). "Longtime owners say Channel 6 is for sale". ''[[The Providence Journal]]'', pg. F1</ref> The key reason for the decision was the lack of a second station for Freedom to operate in the market that would improve synergies for the Providence operation. On March 12, 2007, Freedom announced it was selling WLNE to [[Global Broadcasting]], a [[Delaware corporation]] headed by Robinson Ewert and Kevin O'Brien.<ref>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</ref> The FCC granted approval of this sale in mid-September and ownership was officially transferred on October 9.<ref>Paul Edward Parker (October 12, 2007). "Cryan retires as Channel 6 is sold". ''[[The Providence Journal]]'', pp. B1.</ref> Freedom continued to operate WLNE's website until November 30, 2007, when control was shifted to Broadcast Interactive Media, and later WorldNow in April 2010. Global Broadcasting was not related to a Canadian network, the [[Global Television Network]], or its then-parent, [[Canwest Global Communications]].

===Financial struggles, bankruptcy===
On June 23, NewsBlues reported that Global Broadcasting co-owner Robinson Ewert had left the company amidst a dispute with CBS over licensing fees for programs originating from [[CBS Media Ventures|its syndication unit]]. 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 City. Holtzer's official title at Global was vice president and director of sales.<ref>Ted Nesi (July 23, 2009). "WLNE-TV shakes up executive ranks". [[Providence Business News]]. [http://www.pbn.com/detail/43714.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726080615/http://www.pbn.com/detail/43714.html|date=July 26, 2009}}</ref>

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.<ref name="b&c-wlnereceivership">{{cite magazine|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Struggling WLNE In Receivership|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/struggling-wlne-receivership-42463|access-date=June 5, 2022|magazine=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=July 29, 2010}}</ref><ref name="wpri-wlnereceivership">{{cite news|last=Nesi|first=Ted|title=ABC 6 in receivership after ads slide|url=http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/abc-6-in-receivership-after-ad-drop|access-date=July 29, 2010|work=[[WPRI.com]]|date=July 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731065400/http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/abc-6-in-receivership-after-ad-drop|archive-date=July 31, 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref name="pj-forsaleagain">{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Andy|title=Television station Channel 6 is for sale|url=http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/08/television-station-channel-6-i.html|access-date=August 30, 2010|newspaper=The Providence Journal|date=August 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724081308/http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/08/television-station-channel-6-i.html|archive-date=July 24, 2011}}</ref> On December 13, 2010, rumors surfaced that [[A. H. Belo Corp.]] would buy WLNE and merge its operations with those of ''The Providence Journal''—despite the fact that the company was formed from the split of non-broadcasting operations from [[Belo Corporation]]. Belo itself was considered a likelier candidate due to the strength of its operations in other regions, and its operation of regional news channels much like WLNE's own NewsChannel 5.<ref name="fybush-wlnebeloprojo">{{cite web|last=Fybush|first=Scott|title=A TV/Newspaper Merger in Providence?|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2010/101213/nerw.html|access-date=December 13, 2010|website=NorthEast Radio Watch|date=December 13, 2010}}</ref>

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&nbsp;million. Five other groups (including one led by former [[Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island|Providence mayor]] [[Joseph R. Paolino, Jr.|Joseph Paolino, Jr.]]) were also interested in purchasing the station and had until March 18 to submit competing bids prior to auction.<ref name="pbn-wlnecitadelstalkinghorsebid">{{cite news|last=Perreault|first=Denise|title=Citadel set as 'stalking horse' bid by receiver for WLNE sale|url=http://www.pbn.com/channel-6,55537|access-date=February 11, 2011|newspaper=[[Providence Business News]]|date=February 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215213941/http://www.pbn.com/channel-6,55537|archive-date=February 15, 2011}}</ref> On March 17, ABC notified potential buyers that WLNE's affiliation with the network beyond March 31, 2011, was not assured, which Global Broadcasting CEO Kevin O'Brien said could depress the final price WLNE is sold for at auction.<ref name=wpri-wlneabcthreat>{{cite news|last=Nesi|first=Ted|title=ABC threatens to drop Ch. 6; owner fights price tag|url=http://blogs.wpri.com/2011/03/17/abc-threatens-to-drop-ch-6-owner-fights-price-tag/|access-date=March 18, 2011|work=WPRI.com|date=March 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718120049/http://blogs.wpri.com/2011/03/17/abc-threatens-to-drop-ch-6-owner-fights-price-tag/|archive-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref> 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 have even forced it off the air if no sale was made.

===Sale to Citadel Communications===
On March 22, Citadel Communications was approved as the new owner of WLNE by receiver Matthew McGowan.<ref name=abc6-wlnecitadelsale>{{cite web|title=Citadel Communications Named New Owner of ABC6 News|url=https://www.abc6.com/xxx-is-abc6-news-new-owner/|work=abc6|date=March 22, 2011|access-date=June 5, 2022}}</ref> 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, under the name Global Communications LLC, until the sale was approved by the FCC, at which point Citadel would assume full ownership.<ref name=wpri-wlnecitadelsaleindepth>{{cite news|last=Nesi|first=Ted|title=NY's Citadel buys ABC 6 as judge accepts $4M cash|url=http://blogs.wpri.com/2011/03/22/nys-citadel-buys-abc-6-as-judge-accepts-4m-bid/|access-date=March 22, 2011|work=WPRI.com|date=March 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728102446/http://blogs.wpri.com/2011/03/22/nys-citadel-buys-abc-6-as-judge-accepts-4m-bid/|archive-date=July 28, 2011}}</ref> On April 5, WLNE revealed programming changes made in light of the sale, which included the return of CBS Television Distribution shows ''The Insider'' and ''Inside Edition''.<ref name=WLNE040511>{{cite web|title=ABC 6 Announces New Program Lineup|url=https://www.abc6.com/abc-6-announces-new-program-lineup/|work=abc6|date=April 5, 2011|access-date=June 5, 2022}}</ref> On April 25, veteran sales manager Chris Tzianabos was named vice president and general manager of WLNE, replacing Steve Doerr.<ref name=bc-wlnetzianabos>{{cite magazine|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Tzianabos Named WLNE GM|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/tzianabos-named-wlne-gm-126436|access-date=June 5, 2022|magazine=Broadcasting & Cable|date=April 25, 2011}}</ref> Global CEO Kevin O'Brien tried to appeal the sale in court,<ref name="o'brienappeal">{{cite news|last=Nesi|first=Ted|title=Ex-owner O'Brien appeals ABC 6 sale to R.I. Supreme Court|url=http://blogs.wpri.com/2011/05/03/ex-owner-obrien-appeals-abc-6-sale-to-r-i-supreme-court/|access-date=May 4, 2011|work=WPRI.com|date=May 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728102506/http://blogs.wpri.com/2011/05/03/ex-owner-obrien-appeals-abc-6-sale-to-r-i-supreme-court/|archive-date=July 28, 2011}}</ref> arguing that attorney McGowan did not try hard enough to achieve a higher sale price for the station.<ref name="o'brienappeal2">{{cite web|last=Gauthier|first=Andrew|title=Former Owner Tries to Win Back WLNE|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/former-owner-tries-to-win-back-wlne_b9735|access-date=May 4, 2011|website=TVSpy|date=May 4, 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref name=wlne-citadelclosing>{{cite web|title=Citadel Communications LLC, New Owner of WLNE-TV/ABC6|url=http://www.abc6.com/Global/story.asp?S=14814861|work=abc6.com|access-date=June 2, 2011}}</ref>

In September 2011, as had been promised by Citadel upon its acquisition of the station, WLNE-TV began broadcasting newscasts and [[syndicated programming]] in full high-definition. The station additionally debuted a new [[circle logo]] and website design, matching those of other Citadel stations, but incorporating its previous stylized 6.<ref name=tvspy-wlnehd/><ref name=pbn-wlnehd>{{cite web|title=PRESS RELEASE: WLNE-TV/ABC6 Broadcasting in HD|url=http://www.pbn.com/WLNE-TVABC6-Broadcasting-in-HD,61453|work=[[Providence Business News]]|date=September 27, 2011|access-date=September 29, 2011}}</ref>

After the sale of [[WOI-DT]], [[WHBF-TV]] and [[KCAU-TV]] to the [[Nexstar Media Group]] was completed on March 13, 2014, WLNE and ABC affiliate [[KLKN]] in [[Lincoln, Nebraska]], would become the only stations with a major network affiliation still owned by Citadel; the company also owns a news-intensive [[independent station]], [[WSNN-LD]] ([[Suncoast News Network]]) in [[Sarasota, Florida]].

===Sale to Standard Media===
On May 16, 2019, it was announced that Standard Media, a company led by former [[Young Broadcasting]] and [[Media General]] executive Deb McDermott, would acquire WLNE and KLKN for $83&nbsp;million.<ref name="wlneklknsold">{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/mcdermott-in-the-station-game-with-wlne-klkn/|title=McDermott In The Station Game With WLNE, KLKN|last=Jessell|first=Harry A.|work=TVNewsCheck|date=May 16, 2019|access-date=June 5, 2022}}</ref> The sale was completed on September 5.<ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1809933&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=22591 "Consummation Notice"], ''CDBS Public Access'', [[Federal Communications Commission]]. Retrieved September 6, 2019.</ref>

==Programming==
As an ABC affiliate, WLNE runs virtually the entire ABC programming schedule. Effective with the 1995 affiliation switch, Saturday morning [[infomercial]]s were replaced with ABC's Saturday morning program block (currently ''[[Weekend Adventure]]''; that block replaced [[ABC Kids (TV programming block)|ABC Kids]] in 2011). WLNE carries the nationally syndicated public affairs program ''[[Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien]]'' on Sunday mornings.

===Past programming preemptions and deferrals===
As WTEV, the station moderately preempted ABC shows, in most every case a low-rated program. This did not pose as much of a problem, since most viewers could still get the full ABC schedule on Boston's WNAC until 1972, and on WCVB afterward. During afternoon hours, WTEV ran [[animated cartoon|cartoons]] and classic sitcoms, with late nights being devoted to movies.

Beginning in 1980, WLNE ran an afternoon movie from 4 to 6&nbsp;pm. By 1982, the station was also running a movie weekdays from 9 to 11&nbsp;am. These movies were run under the ''[[Dialing For Dollars]]'' promotion and were hosted by George Allen for a decade. WLNE also continued to preempt moderate amounts of programming, particularly whatever game show CBS ran at 10&nbsp;a.m. (to accommodate the morning movie), as well as [[The CBS Late Movie|late night programming]]. As a result of the preemptions, ''[[Child's Play (game show)|Child's Play]]'', the 1983 version of ''[[Press Your Luck]]'', and ''[[Blackout (game show)|Blackout]]'' never aired on WLNE; the 1986 version of ''[[Card Sharks]]'' did not air on the station until late in the show's run. Other shows, such as ''[[Tattletales]]'' and ''[[Body Language (game show)|Body Language]]'' were tape-delayed and aired in the noon slot, since WLNE did not have a noon news broadcast at that time. Providence area viewers could also watch the preempted shows via WNEV, which was available over-the-air on the Massachusetts side of the market. Throughout much of the 1980s, WLNE was known for running two movies a day.

By the fall of 1988, WLNE was only running an afternoon movie weekdays and began clearing CBS' 10&nbsp;a.m. hour. In the fall of 1989, WLNE dropped CBS' ''[[Guiding Light]]'', moving the movie to 3&nbsp;p.m. and adding more syndicated programming in the 5&nbsp;p.m. hour; by mid-1990, the afternoon movie was dropped in favor of additional syndicated programming. In the fall of 1990, WLNE dropped the CBS [[Saturday morning cartoon]]s in favor of several movies in that time slot. In 1991, ''Guiding Light'' was reinstated. By 1993, the Saturday morning movies were replaced with educational children's programs and infomercials.

For many years, WLNE carried the syndicated shows ''[[Dr. Phil (talk show)|Dr. Phil]]'', ''[[Rachael Ray (talk show)|Rachael Ray]]'', ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'', ''[[The Insider (TV program)|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, successor to [[King World Productions]] and [[Paramount Domestic Television]]. 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-TV.<ref>[[WNAC-TV|WNAC]] (June 29, 2009). "'Phil', ET, Inside Edition get new home". {{cite web |url=http://www.foxprovidence.com/dpp/entertainment/television/foxprovidence_dr_phil_et_inside_edition_move_20090629 |title=FOX Providence |access-date=February 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217171613/http://www.foxprovidence.com/dpp/entertainment/television/foxprovidence_dr_phil_et_inside_edition_move_20090629 |archive-date=February 17, 2012 }}</ref> Temporarily put in their place were ''[[Cristina's Court]]'', ''[[Family Court with Judge Penny]]'', a 7&nbsp;p.m. newscast, and ''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire''.<ref>TVNEWSDAY (June 5, 2009). "WLNE Providence Dropping CTD Syndies". [http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2009/06/05/daily.3/].</ref> 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&nbsp;million from the company.<ref>[[Superior Court of Los Angeles County]] (June 16, 2009). "CBS STUDIOS INC ET AL VS GLOBAL BROADCASTING LLC ET AL, BC415830". {{cite web |url=http://lasuperiorcourt.org/civilCaseSummary/index.asp?CaseType=Civil |title=Los Angeles Superior Court - Civil Case Summary |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613061620/http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/civilCaseSummary/index.asp?CaseType=Civil |archive-date=June 13, 2009 }}. Enter Case Number: BC415830.</ref><ref>Joel Rosenblatt (June 16, 2009). "CBS Sues ABC Affiliate Owner Over Broadcasting Fees (Update1)". [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]. [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20602085&sid=am4.XxUtBoiE]</ref>

===Local programming===
The longest-running program on channel 6 is ''TV Mass'' from the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River]], which began in 1963. Produced by WLNE, the show was originally aired at 8&nbsp;am. It is normally taped at the chapel of [[Bishop Stang High School]] in [[Dartmouth, Massachusetts]]. Easter [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] and Christmas Mass are normally taped at St. Mary's Cathedral in [[Fall River, Massachusetts]].<ref>Deacon James N. Dunbar (November 11, 2005). "Fall River diocese's TV Mass is favorite of the region's shut-ins". ''[http://www.anchornews.org/ The Anchor]'' (the newspaper of the [[Diocese of Fall River, MA]]), pp. 1 and 12.</ref> As of 2011, the masses are independently produced and continue to air on WLNE, with the weekly mass at 11&nbsp;a.m. on Sunday mornings and the Easter and Christmas Mass at 11:30&nbsp;a.m. and Noon respectively.

Prior to its host's retirement, the longest running program on WLNE was ''The Truman Taylor Show''. The Sunday morning public affairs program debuted very early in 1963. Numerous politicians appeared on the show, including two U.S. presidents. In late 2005, [[Truman Taylor]] taped his final show. He is now a featured op-ed columnist for the ''[[Providence Journal]]''. In early 2006, ''ABC6 News On the Record'' replaced ''Truman Taylor'', with Jim Hummel hosting the program until his departure from the station in July 2008. Following his departure, ''On the Record'' was temporarily taken off-the-air and replaced with infomercials. The show returned in October 2008 with John DeLuca and former Providence mayor [[Buddy Cianci]] as co-hosts. Cianci would host the show solo from May 2011 until his death in January 2016. Another hiatus would follow.

On June 19, 2016, WLNE debuted ''In the Arena'', with former Providence mayor Joe Paolino, Jr. as host.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Donnis|first1=Ian|title=Paolino To Host New Sunday Morning Show On ABC6|url=http://ripr.org/post/paolino-host-new-sunday-morning-show-abc6|access-date=June 17, 2016|work=[[Rhode Island Public Radio]]|date=June 16, 2016}}</ref> The show initially consisted of a [[Round table (discussion)|round table]] discussion with guest political analysts and Paolino as moderator. It has since evolved into a more traditional one-on-one interview with Paolino and a single guest. The show's title is a reference to a passage in President [[Theodore Roosevelt]]'s [[Citizenship in a Republic]] speech about "The Man in the Arena." ''In the Arena'' airs Sundays at 7&nbsp;am.<ref>{{cite web|title=ABC6 Launches 'In the Arena' Hosted by Former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino|url=http://www.golocalprov.com/politics/abc6-launches-in-the-arena-hosted-by-former-providence-mayor-joe-paolino|website=GoLocalProv|access-date=June 24, 2016}}</ref>

WLNE had been the market home of ''The [[Jerry Lewis]] [[MDA Labor Day Telethon]]'' since 1993. As WTEV, it was one of the first affiliates of the "Love Network" when it was formed in 1968. Local segments had been broadcast from the [[Warwick Mall]] for several years. In 2007, the telethon relocated to the [[Marriott International|Marriott]] hotel in downtown Providence. In 2008, the telethon was broadcast from [[Twin River Casino]] in [[Lincoln, Rhode Island|Lincoln]]. Local segments continued to be broadcast from Twin River until 2012, when the telethon became the ''MDA Show of Strength''. The following year, the show began being televised over one national network (ABC) and the local segments were discontinued. The final ''Show of Strength'' was broadcast in 2014.

WLNE became the first station in Rhode Island to broadcast a local program in high-definition when it aired [[Bristol's 4th of July Parade]] in 2008 live with production facilities provided by Comcast. In 2009, the station won an [[Emmy Award]] for its pre-parade special, ''Reflections of the Fourth: Celebrating Bristol'', from the Boston/New England chapter of the [[National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newenglandemmy.org/ |title=Home |website=newenglandemmy.org}}</ref> The parade was not broadcast in 2011 amidst the change in station ownership, but would return in 2012. WLNE had carried the parade from 2006 until 2021.

===''Caught in Providence''===
''Caught in Providence'' is a reality [[court show]] presided over by Judge [[Frank Caprio]]. The program showcases the proceedings inside Providence Municipal Court. Produced and directed by Judge Caprio's brother Joseph and his company Citylife Productions, the program originated on [[Public, educational, and government access|PEG access]] television in Rhode Island and was first picked up by WLNE in 2000, initially airing in late night on Saturdays.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Forliti|first1=Amy|title=Providence crime suspects star in courtroom TV show|url=http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/providence-crime-suspects-star-in-courtroom-tv-show/article_3552612f-7802-5c78-a3d6-b3f76c96edf1.html|access-date=December 12, 2017|work=[[Napa Valley Register]]|agency=Associated Press|date=July 17, 2002}}</ref> Following a hiatus, ''Caught in Providence'' returned in 2015 and aired following the 11 o'clock newscasts on Saturdays until September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Caught in Providence Back on ABC 6|url=http://www.newenglandone.com/news/local/providence/caught-in-providence-back-on-abc-6.html|website=New England One|access-date=December 12, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213084120/http://www.newenglandone.com/news/local/providence/caught-in-providence-back-on-abc-6.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was during this run that the program went viral. Several clips began appearing on social media, garnering millions of views.<ref>{{cite web|title=Caught in Providence video goes viral on YouTube|url=http://www.abc6.com/story/34461914/caught-in-providence-goes-viral-on-youtube|website=WLNE-TV / ABC6|access-date=December 12, 2017}}</ref> The program has also received coverage from media organizations around the world, such as [[NBC News]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dahlgren|first1=Kristen|title=Viral Judge Frank Caprio Rules With a Big Heart|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/viral-judge-frank-caprio-rules-with-a-big-heart-1090765891978|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=December 12, 2017}}</ref>

In December 2017, it was announced that [[Debmar-Mercury]] had picked up ''Caught in Providence'' for daily national syndication, this as clips from the program eclipsed one billion views.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Albiniak|first1=Paige|title=Fox Stations Get 'Caught in Providence'|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/fox-stations-get-caught-providence-170593|access-date=June 5, 2022|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=December 12, 2017}}</ref> The program was initially sold to the [[Fox Television Stations]] group and debuted nationally on September 24, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fox O&Os To Air 'Caught In Providence'|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/fox-oos-to-air-caught-in-providence/|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 12, 2017|access-date=June 5, 2022}}</ref> Locally, the program airs in Providence on [[The CW]] affiliate [[WNAC-DT2]] and in Boston on CW affiliate [[WLVI]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Showtimes |url=https://www.caughtinprovidence.com/showtimes |website=Caught in Providence |publisher=Sociable |access-date=September 17, 2018}}</ref>

===News operation===
[[File:Super Bowl LII experience reporters.jpg|thumb|right|WLNE reporters at the [[NFL Experience|Super Bowl Experience]] in [[Minnesota]] for [[Super Bowl LII]].]]
WLNE presently broadcasts 27 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with five hours each weekday and one hour each on Saturdays and Sundays).

For most of its history, WLNE has placed a distant third in the market, behind WJAR and WPRI. The station has been known for numerous turnovers in format, talent and management over the years for the purpose of increasing its newscast ratings and sales revenue, all having little or no effect. Under Global Broadcasting's ownership, changes in image and news coverage resulted in a marginal ratings increase and for a time, ''ABC6 News'' was promoted as "New England's Fastest Growing News". The ratings surge did not last for long. However, on March 29, 2011, WLNE scored its first late news victory in years, finishing number one at 11&nbsp;p.m. following the series premiere of network medical drama ''[[Body of Proof]]'', which was filmed entirely in Rhode Island for its first season.

On October 24, 2007, WLNE announced that infamous former Providence mayor and [[WPRO (AM)|WPRO]] personality Vincent "Buddy" Cianci would join the station as chief political analyst and contributing editor starting on November 1.<ref>WLNE/ABC6 (October 24, 2007). "ABC6 names "Buddy" Cianci Chief Political Analyst & Contributing Editor".</ref> Cianci was a political analyst at WLNE in the late 1980s. As part of his duties at the station, he moderated a daily segment on ''ABC6 News''. It was first entitled ''Your Attention Please'' and was co-moderated in-studio by former Chief Reporter Jim Hummel. Following Hummel's departure from the station in July 2008, it was changed to Buddy TV and weeknight anchor John DeLuca became co-moderator. The segment aired live during the former ''ABC6 News First at Four'' with Cianci first appearing in-studio and then from the [[East Providence, Rhode Island|East Providence]] studios of WPRO, where the segment was simulcast during his weekday show that aired from 2&nbsp;p.m. to 6&nbsp;pm. In October 2008, he started co-hosting the Sunday morning public affairs program ''ABC6 News On the Record'' with DeLuca.

With the change in station ownership in May 2011, the segment name was changed to ''The World According to Buddy'' with a solo Cianci in the ABC6 studios. The segment was taped live during the noon newscasts and re-aired during the 5 o'clock news. He also became a solo host of ''On the Record''. On June 25, 2014, Cianci announced that he would be seeking a third term as mayor of Providence as an Independent candidate. As a result, he had to step down from his position at WLNE as well as WPRO for the duration of the campaign. Former chief political reporter [[Mark Curtis (broadcaster)|Mark Curtis]] took over as host of the program while Cianci campaigned for office. He lost the bid to Democrat [[Jorge Elorza]] and returned to his previous positions shortly after the 2014 general elections.

On January 27, 2016, Cianci was taken from the WLNE studios to [[Miriam Hospital]] after falling ill during the taping of ''On the Record'' and was pronounced dead on January 28 at age 74.<ref name=wlne-ciancidead>{{cite web|title=Vincent "Buddy" Cianci dies at 74|url=https://www.abc6.com/breaking-vincent-buddy-cianci-has-died/|website=ABC6|date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=June 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131201824/http://ww.abc6.com/story/31075183/breaking-vincent-buddy-cianci-has-died|archive-date=January 31, 2016}}</ref> The episode did not make air, with a special on Cianci airing in its place on January 31.<ref name=projo-wlnecianci>{{cite news|last1=Catanzaro|first1=Mikki|title=WLNE-TV to air Cianci special Sunday in late mayor's timeslot|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160128/wlne-tv-to-air-cianci-special-sunday-in-late-mayors-timeslot|access-date=January 28, 2016|work=Providence Journal|date=January 28, 2016}}</ref> The Sunday morning public affairs program was then put on hiatus until June 2016 when ''In the Arena'' with Joe Paolino debuted.

On December 17, 2007, WLNE announced it would launch ''ABC6 News First at Four'', the [[media market|market]]'s first-ever 4 o'clock news on January 14, 2008. Described as a "hard newscast" and not morning-show style fluff, ''First at Four'' gave WLNE a head start in coverage of weather and politics. The hour-long newscast aired for just over three years and competed head to head with ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' airing on WJAR. ''First at Four'' last aired in April 2011 prior to the sale of the station to Citadel. In March 2020, under Standard Media, WLNE began airing a special half-hour 4 o'clock newscast with extended coverage of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Rhode Island|COVID-19]] [[COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts|pandemic]]. This newscast became a regular part of the schedule on April 13, 2020, and the ''First at Four'' title was revived.<ref name="wlne4pmnews">{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Mark |title=WLNE Providence Launches 4 P.M. News |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wlne-providence-launches-4-p-m-news/ |access-date=June 5, 2022 |work=TV News Check |date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>

In May 2009, WLNE launched a 10 o'clock newscast on Sunday mornings. Previously, it had only produced weekend morning newscasts for ''NewsChannel 5''. It was the only Providence station with a local news broadcast airing at that time. In May 2011, Citadel moved the newscast to 7:30&nbsp;a.m. and added Saturday morning broadcasts in addition to Sunday mornings. The weekend morning newscasts were cancelled in 2012.

In June 2009, the station launched the market's first (since the 1980s) 7 p.m. newscast on weeknights, filling the spot vacated by ''Entertainment Tonight'', which was taken off the schedule due to the station's dispute with CBS Television Distribution. In March 2011, this newscast was replaced with infomercials, with the newscast airing only in the event they could not sell the time slot on a given day.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gauthier |first=Andrew |date=March 16, 2011 |title=Providence's WLNE Airs Bra Infomercial in Place of 7:00&nbsp;pm Newscast |magazine=Adweek |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/providences-wlne-airs-bra-infomercial-in-place-of-7-p-m-newscast/8755/ |access-date=June 5, 2022}}</ref> After the station's sale to Citadel, this newscast was officially replaced with syndicated programming the following month.

On April 5, 2011, WLNE announced a new programming lineup that included the addition of a 5&nbsp;p.m. newscast on April 25.<ref name=WLNE040511/> The station then began to shift towards [[video journalism]], and all remaining reporters and future hires were required to be one-person bands.<ref name="WLNEMMJ">{{cite web |title=Liz Tufts Named Weekend News Anchor at WLNE-TV/ABC6 |url=https://www.abc6.com/liz-tufts-named-weekend-news-anchor-at-wlne-tvabc6/ |website=ABC6 |date=May 20, 2011 |access-date=April 9, 2020}}</ref> On September 13, WLNE became the second station in the market to broadcast news in high-definition, behind WJAR and just a week ahead of WPRI/WNAC.<ref name=tvspy-wlnehd>{{cite magazine|last=Gauthier|first=Andrew|title=WLNE Now Broadcasting News in HD|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wlne-now-broadcasting-news-in-hd/24430/|access-date=June 5, 2022|magazine=Adweek|date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> Along with the transition came a standardized graphics package used by other Citadel stations. The station received the company's standardized news set in August 2012.

In weather segments, WLNE uses live regional radar from the [[National Weather Service]] local office in [[Taunton, Massachusetts]], along with high-resolution satellite. The segments are presented on-air under the Stormtracker label. From 2012 to 2017, the Stormtracker Weather Team was certified as providing Southern New England's most accurate forecast by  WeatheRate, an independent weather research firm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherate.com/ |title=Home |website=weatherate.com}}</ref> On July 19, 2012, WLNE became the first station in Southern New England to be recognized as [[StormReady]] by the National Weather Service.<ref>{{cite news|title=ABC6/WLNE-TV Recognized By The National Weather Service|url=http://ww.abc6.com/story/19066733/abc6-recognized-by-the-national-weather-service|access-date=July 19, 2012|work=ABC6|date=July 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202218/http://ww.abc6.com/story/19066733/abc6-recognized-by-the-national-weather-service|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

WLNE won the Massachusetts/Rhode Island [[Associated Press]] News Station of the Year award four years in a row from 1997 to 2000 and again in 2002. The station also won a regional [[Edward R. Murrow Award (Radio Television Digital News Association)|Edward R. Murrow Award]] for Investigative Reporting two consecutive years.

Due to its coverage area overlapping with Boston's ABC affiliate WCVB, the two stations share resources for coverage of southeastern Massachusetts.

====NewsChannel 5====
'''NewsChannel 5''', formerly known as the '''Rhode Island News Channel''' ('''RINC'''), began broadcasting on November 30, 1998. Operated by WLNE (until 2012) and Cox Communications, it was the first and only 24-hour local news channel in the state. It provided non-stop news 24 hours a day, seven days a week, mainly consisting of rebroadcasts of news that aired on WLNE. The station could only be found on Cox Cable channel 5 in Rhode Island. NewsChannel 5 also provided live, continuing coverage of breaking news and other events. When severe weather struck, the WLNE weather team provided up to the minute forecasts.

Prior to Citadel Communications' acquisition of WLNE, there were three live newscasts that aired exclusively on NewsChannel 5. From its launch, a weekend morning newscast was seen exclusively on the station. As of May 2011, this newscast was also broadcast on the main channel. On September 29, 2008, WLNE began offering an extra hour of local news on weekday mornings at 7&nbsp;am. An extended hour of ''Good Morning Providence'' was one of two 7 o'clock local newscasts in the market, the other being an extended hour of WPRI's ''Eyewitness News This Morning'' on WNAC-TV. This newscast was no longer broadcast as of May 2011. WLNE occasionally aired a 10 o'clock newscast during major news events or when sports programming preempted the 10 o'clock news on competitor WNAC. As of May 2011, this newscast no longer aired.

For a brief period in September 2009, an audio feed of NewsChannel 5 was broadcast on radio station [[WALE (Rhode Island)|WALE]] in various timeslots; this included a start-to-finish simulcast of the ''Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon''. On February 1, 2012, WLNE's affiliation with Cox channel 5 ended, and its programming on the channel was replaced with WJAR programming and is now [[Ocean State Networks]] (OSN).<ref name=wlne-rinewschannel5>{{cite web|title=Cox No Longer Airing ABC6 News on Rhode Island News Channel 5|work=ABC6|date=February 2012 | url=https://www.abc6.com/cox-no-longer-airing-abc6-news-on-rhode-island-news-channel-5/ |access-date=June 5, 2022}}</ref>

====Notable current on-air staff====
* [[Joseph R. Paolino, Jr.]] – host of ''In the Arena''

====Notable former on-air staff====
* [[Alisyn Camerota]]
* [[Steve Cascione]]
* [[Buddy Cianci]]<ref name=wlne-ciancidead />
* [[Walter Cryan]]
* [[Mark Curtis (broadcaster)|Mark Curtis]]
* [[Gail Huff]]
* [[Gene Lavanchy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/17189238/gene-lavanchy|title=Gene Lavanchy biography|publisher=[[WFXT]]|access-date=September 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927225410/http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/17189238/gene-lavanchy|archive-date=September 27, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Truman Taylor]]
* [[Kristen Welker]]
* [[Chuck Wilson (sports journalist)|Chuck Wilson]]

==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
The station's signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WLNE-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WLNE#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for WLNE|website=[[RabbitEars.info]]|accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.1
| [[720p]] || rowspan=5|[[16:9]] || WLNE-TV || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.2
| rowspan=2|[[480i]] || WLNE-D2 || [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.3
| WLNE-D3 || [[Ion Mystery]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.5
| 720p || MeTV || [[MeTV]]
|}

The station's analog video broadcast at a frequency of 83.26{{nbsp}}[[MHz]] [[AM broadcasting|AM]]. The station's analog audio was aired at a frequency of 87.76&nbsp;MHz [[FM broadcasting|FM]]. Both frequencies were +10&nbsp;kHz shift from the center channel 6 frequency to prevent interference with other stations on channel 6 (as stated above). WLNE's analog audio could be picked up on the lower end of the dial on most FM radios at 87.7{{nbsp}}MHz. WLNE regularly mentioned this additional way of coverage. This was true of all analog channel 6 stations in the United States. After February 17, 2009, channel 6 audio on WLNE was no longer available on the radio. (It was still available on most other full-powered channel 6 stations in the United States through June 12.)

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WLNE-TV discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over [[VHF]] channel 6, on February 17, 2009, the original date when full-power television stations in the United States were to [[Digital television transition in the United States|transition from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate (which was later pushed back to June 12, 2009). The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition [[UHF]] channel 49,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 }}</ref> using [[virtual channel]] 6. It offered a [[Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act|nightlighting]] service on its analog signal for 60 days following the shutdown. The station aired a looping DTV education program as well as all of its newscasts.{{cn|date=June 2024}} Due to this service being broadcast on analog channel 6, audio was still available on 87.7 FM when this period ended.

On January 16, 2012, WLNE, along with all Citadel stations, began carrying [[Disney-ABC]]'s [[Live Well Network]] on its [[digital subchannel]] (6.2). The network was also seen on [[Cox Communications|Cox]] digital channel 803, [[Verizon FiOS]] digital channel 466, [[Full Channel]] digital channel 196, and [[Comcast]] digital channel 296.<ref name=b&c-citadellivewell>{{cite magazine|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Citadel Communications Stations Grab Live Well|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/citadel-communications-stations-grab-live-well-43259|access-date=June 5, 2022|magazine=Broadcasting & Cable|date=January 9, 2012}}</ref> Prior to this date, the station did not carry an additional network but simulcast its main programming in [[Standard-definition television]] (SDTV) on 6.2. On August 18, 2014, ahead of the discontinuation of Live Well Network in January, WLNE replaced it with two new multicast networks, [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]] and Escape.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Weiss|first1=Jim|title=Press Release: The Nation's First-Ever, Over-The-Air Broadcast TV Networks For Women & Men Are Born: Escape (For Women) & Grit (For Men) Are Now On-The-Air|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-nations-first-ever-over-the-air-broadcast-tv-networks-for-women--men-are-born-escape-for-women--grit-for-men-are-now-on-the-air-271692771.html|access-date=June 5, 2022|agency=Katz Broadcasting|date=August 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084019/http://www.abc6.com/story/26306436/the-nations-first-ever-over-the-air-broadcast-tv-networks-for-women-men-are-born-escape-for-women-grit-for-men-are-now-on-the-air|archive-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref> On May 8, 2019, the station added the relaunched [[Court TV]] to a third subchannel.<ref name="wlne-courttv">{{cite news |last1=Jacobson |first1=Adam |title=Court TV Back In Session, Thanks To Katz |url=https://www.rbr.com/court-tv-back-in-session-thanks-to-katz/ |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=Radio & Television Business Report |date=December 10, 2018}}</ref> Escape was rebranded as Court TV Mystery on September 30, 2019, and again as [[Ion Mystery]] on February 24, 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lafayette |first1=Jon |title=Katz Rebranding Escape Net as Court TV Mystery |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/katz-rebranding-escape-net-as-court-tv-mystery |access-date=June 5, 2022 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |date=September 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lafayette |first1=Jon |title=Scripps' Court TV Mystery Rebranded as Ion Mystery |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/scripps-court-tv-mystery-rebranded-as-ion-mystery |publisher=NextTV |access-date=February 24, 2022 |date=February 24, 2022}}</ref>

WLNE's digital signal operates at 294,000 watts—equivalent to 1.47&nbsp;million watts for an analog transmitter. Still, due to the fact it now operates from Rehoboth with the other major Rhode Island stations, it has a signal comparable to WJAR and WPRI for the first time ever.

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.abc6.com/}}
* [https://menujoy.com/wtev/ Homage to the old WTEV: "Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control"]

{{Providence TV}}
{{ABC New England}}

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[[Category:1963 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates]]
[[Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Ion Mystery affiliates]]
[[Category:Ion Plus affiliates]]
[[Category:Mass media in Bristol County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:MeTV affiliates]]
[[Category:New Bedford, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1963]]
[[Category:Television stations in Massachusetts|LNE-TV]]
[[Category:Television stations in Rhode Island|LNE-TV]]