Shuffling Off in Buffalo

Nexstar Media Group is keeping talent within the family, transferring Joe Abouzeid from his role as Vice President and General Manager of WIVB and WNLO in Buffalo to the same position at WPRI in Providence, R.I. The move is effective immediately.

Abouzeid will retain oversight of the Buffalo duopoly remotely from Providence until a successor is named at WIVB.

The transfer keeps Abouzeid firmly inside the Nexstar food chain, moving him from one CBS affiliate to another. While the jump from Buffalo (DMA No. 54) to Providence-New Bedford (DMA No. 52) is largely a lateral move on paper, it represents a homecoming for Abouzeid, who spent years living in the Providence area.

During his nearly four-year stint at WIVB, Abouzeid oversaw the station’s anchor succession plan, managing the exits of long-time anchors Jacquie Walker and Don Postles and the installation of the new evening team of Kelsey Anderson, Dave Greber, and Marlee Tuskes. His tenure also saw the launch of the station's streaming offering, WIVB+, and the continuation of the station's broadcast partnership with the Buffalo Bills.

In the recent November sweeps—the first following the talent reset—WIVB maintained its lead in household viewing across most dayparts against competitors Tegna’s WGRZ and Scripps’ WKBW.