Block Communications

Block Communications Inc. (also known as Blade Communications) is an American 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-Jewish immigrant who came to the United States fifteen years prior, formed an ad representation firm for newspapers. 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 children took over the company. They eventually passed it on to their grandchildren, who continue to operate it to this day.

Logo of Block/Blade Communications

Company holdings

Newspapers

Television

On November 29, 2008, it was announced that Metro Video Productions, owners of Lima, Ohio low-powered network affiliates WOHL-CA (Fox/MyNetworkTV), 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] Those three stations have since consolidated at WLIO's studios and carry simulcasts of the station's newscasts, with WCOB holding the license interests of the stations.[2]

Cable Systems

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC)

Cable Television Networks

Non-Media Holdings

  • Metro Fiber & Cable Construction Company (a Toledo-based contractor of fiber optic installation)

Formerly owned

Controversy

In January 2021, Susan Allen Block, a former board member of Block Communications and a member of the company's namesake family, made a Facebook post supporting the rioters who took part in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol. In the post Block also used several derogatory terms when describing Vice-President Kamala Harris, even referring to her as a "Whore." This set off a chain of events that ultimately led to Allen Block and Block Communications facing severe backlash from the public and other organizations. Notably, the organization was condemned by the Toledo Bureau of the NAACP, and Governor Mike DeWine's spokeswoman. [5]

Allen Block resigned from her position on the Ohio Arts Council after the controversy began. [6]

References
  1. "Phipps flips Lima low-power cluster". Television Business Report. November 29, 2008. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved December 1, 2008.
  2. Sowinski, Greg (December 2, 2008). "WLIO owner buys Fox affiliate, other stations for $2.4 million". The Lima News. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
  3. http://www.telesystem.us/newsroom/press-releases/block-communications-agrees-to-acquire-line-systems/
  4. Archived January 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "NAACP Toledo releases statement on US Capitol insurrection, The Blade and controversial social media post made by Block family member". wtol.com. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  6. Borchardt, Jackie. "Ohio Arts Council board member Susan Allan Block resigns after inflammatory comments". The Enquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
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