Block Communications (also known as Blade Communications) is a privately held holding company of various assets, mainly in the print and broadcast media, based in Toledo, Ohio. The company was founded in 1900 in New York City when Paul Block, a German immigrant who came to the United States fifteen years prior, formed an ad representation firm for newspapers. Through the 1910s and 1920s, the Block empire grew to encompass many newspapers on the east coast of the US, however with the Great Depression in the 1930s came the loss of all but three properties: the ad representation firm, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the Toledo Blade (where Block eventually settled the company upon its purchase in 1927). After Block's death in 1941, his sons took over the company and later his grandchildren (one of whom, Allan Block, is company chairman).
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Newspapers
Television
On November 29, 2008, it was announced that Metro Video Productions, owners of Lima, Ohio low-powered network affiliates WOHL-CA (Fox), WLQP-LP (ABC) and WLMO-LP (CBS), would sell these stations to West Central Ohio Broadcasting, Inc.; one of the company's heads, Allan J. Block, is the chairman of Block Communications, owner of WLIO.[1] Block will assume control of the stations' operations, but will not consolidate their newscasts or facilities with WLIO.[2]
Cable Systems
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC)
Cable Television Networks
Non-Media Holdings
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