2 days Ago By Neal Zoren
After nearly 21 years that wrought significant changes in both local television and the market’s most independent station, Vince Giannini is stepping down as general manager of WPHL-TV, Channel 17. Giannini, who arrived at Channel 17 in 2003 and is the longest-tenured among the chief television executives in the Philadelphia market, announced his departure on “PHL 17 Morning News” last week. An article on Channel 17’s website also covers Giannini’s exit, career, achievements, and plans.
He leaves his post later this month. Channel 17 has always been the most unusual of the local TV stations. Mergers, acquisitions, etc.
have rendered all other market stations the property of known networks — NBC, CBS, ABC (Disney), or Fox — that provide much of their programming, especially during prime time. Although Channel 17 is now owned by one of broadcasting’s larger corporations, Nexstar, and affiliated with the CW network, it spent most of Giannini’s tenure on its own to forge an identity and retain some standing. Giannini has been deft in giving regional viewers a reason to watch his station.
He has navigated a television climate that went from intense and highly competitive to relatively benign and without much edge. He made decisions that retained a place for Channel 17 in the market, keeping the station a viewing option whether it be through reruns of “Friends,” “Seinfeld and “Mom,” professional sports events cable is willing to free, a borrowed newscast.
