In 2016, one of the largest television networks in the Dominican Republic gained an over-the-air home in Puerto Rico.
Now, the owner of the Carolina, P.R., based UHF facility is selling the station. The buyer is the parent company of a station that has largely served as a west-island affiliate of one of Puerto Rico’s biggest TV stations.
In a deal valued at $600,000, Telecinco — through parent ERA International Corp. — is acquiring WRFB-11 in Carolina, which serves metropolitan San Juan. For the last year, it has been a “Super Canal” affiliate, airing programming from the Dominican Republic in an effort to serve the growing Dominican population in Puerto Rico.
Now, the fate of WRFB is unknown, as it is set to become a sister to Telecinco’s WORA-5 in Mayaguez, on the western half of Puerto Rico. WORA-5.2 is the Puerto Rico ABC affiliate, and it is possible WRFB will be used to bring ABC programming — largely via simulcast with WABC-7 in New York, the historical satellite station for ABC programming in Puerto Rico — to a greater audience.
The seller of WRFB is the aptly named R&F Broadcasting, led by President Enrique Sanchez.
A $30,000 deposit has been made by the buyer. The remainder is due at closing.
The seller is represented by legal counsel Davina Shashkin of Fletcher Heald & Hildreth P.C. The buyer’s legal counsel in this transaction is Lee Petro of Drinker Biddle & Reath.
