Patrick Paolini - TVSpy

WCAU GM Dennis Bianchi Joining Rival WTXF

Merrill Knox — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:58:23 +0000

Dennis Bianchi, the general manager at Philadelphia NBC O&O WCAU, will join rival WTXF, the Fox O&O, as vice president and general manager next month, Fox announced today.

Bianchi, who has been at NBC for more than 25 years in a variety of roles, has been general manager of WCAU since 1998. His first day at WTXF will be February 1.

“While we typically promote from within, we feel lucky and particularly excited about hiring an executive of Dennis’ caliber,” Jack Abernethy, CEO of Fox Television Stations, said in a statement.

Bianchi replaces Patrick Paolini, who was promoted to SVP of Station Sales at Fox last fall.

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Meteorologist John Bolaris Out At Philly’s WTXF

Merrill Knox — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:05:53 +0000

Less than three weeks after he was suspended by WTXF, meteorologist John Bolaris is out at the Philadelphia Fox O&O.

“We mutually agreed that it was time to part ways,” a Fox spokesperson confirmed to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Bolaris, who is famous for his experience being roofied and robbed in Miami two years ago, was suspended by WTXF in late December after comments from an interview he did with Playboy surfaced online. The Daily News reports the incident was the “latest occasion” of tension between Bolaris and WXTF general manager Patrick Paolini.

As recently as January 4, Bolaris was still hoping to return to WTXF.

“Listen really want to be back at FOX, bunch of great peeps there, front and behind camera, hopefully it all works out, love your support!” he wrote on Twitter.

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Fox Names Patrick Paolini SVP Of Station Sales

Merrill Knox — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:25:36 +0000

Patrick Paolini will take over as senior vice president of Fox station sales on October 3. He will be responsible for overseeing sales at the 27 Fox O&Os and will report to Jim Burke, Fox’s president of sales.

For the past two years, Paolini has been the vice president and general manager of WTXF, Fox’s O&O in Philadelphia. Prior to that, he was the vice president and director of sales at WNYW, Fox’s O&O in New York City.

Paolini replaces Joe Oulvey, who was recently named executive vice president for ad sales at 20th Television.

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WTXF Names Steve Schwaid VP and News Director

Merrill Knox — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:59:43 +0000

WTXF, the Philadelphia Fox O&O, has named Steve Schwaid news director and vice president. Schwaid leaves Atlanta where he has been VP of Digital Content for Meredith Stations as well as News Director for WGCL, CBS Atlanta.

It’s also a return to Philadelphia for Schwaid, who ran the news operation at NBC O&O WCAU before being upped to SVP of News and Programming for NBC’s O&O’s in New York. He held that post for 5 years before heading to Atlanta.

“I’m extremely excited about working for Fox 29 and coming back home to Philadelphia,” Schwaid said. “I look forward to taking WTXF’s news operation to the next level by delivering strong, relevant and compelling news.”

Before WCAU, Schwaid ran the newsrooms at WTOG in Tampa/St. Pete, WVIT in Hartford, and WGME in Portland, Maine.

“Steve’s depth of local news experience and proven record of success in Philadelphia made him the ideal leader for our newsroom,” said Patrick Paolini, WTXF VP & GM. “He is the right person to expand upon our station’s success as a news leader in this market.”

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