Dispute won't keep Browns off TV

[Kamd50]

Who can blame Mr. Lerner for not wanting to do business with these people:huh:

Dispute won't keep Browns off TV
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter
The dispute between the Browns and local television rights-holder WOIO Channel 19 could be heading to court, but the team's preseason games will be shown live on free TV, no matter the outcome. ..................


In his first comments on the matter, Lerner confirmed the dispute centers solely on Channel 19's decision to air the audio of an emergency phone call to 9-1-1 made by Nancy Fisher, sister of Lerner, upon finding her 6-year-old daughter drowned in a creek on family property on July 9.
Tapes of calls to 9-1-1 are public record and routinely are made available to the news media.
Channel 19 was the only media outlet to air or report the graphic portion of Fisher's call. ..........

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[longtimefirsttime]

It IS public record. They were within their rights to air it. However it's not a wise thing to do when you know the relative of the Browns owner was on the tape and you hold the rights to the games. A transcript would have been a better idea. But it's Channel 19, the local tabloid news leader.

[Kamd50]

There was no question of it being public record or within legal rights. It was more a matter of choosing to do the right thing versus the "sensational" thing. You are right LTFT, they are more like a tabloid than a newschannel.

[The Butler]

Heads are going to roll at WOIO 19/WUAB 43 over this. Look for channel 5, WEWS to be the new "local" home of the Browns. 19 Action News is a disgrace.

On an unrelated Browns/media note, Sports Time Ohio plans to start adding more content by covering training camp starting next Wednesday.

[obie0130]

i've always said that 19 is tabloid, and they most certainly are. they seem to not have any boundaries on commenting on news stories, when they should only be reporting it, or calling people names. they are ridiculously unprofessional. they may have been within their rights to air the call, but it is nice to see someone check them for once. BTW, why is sharon reed on the sidelines for the browns and cavs games when 19 does them? she's a "news anchor" if only by WOIO standards and not a sportscaster. :wall:

[longtimefirsttime]

Channels 3 and 5 chose not to air the tape at all. Channel 8 aired a less "emotional" part of the tape. Yes as Butler mentioned it has been a big issue for the Raycom owned station. There have been several meetings over this incident (including at least one with Lerner family members). If it creates some job openings, it would be perfect for a local columnist (who loves to go the sensational route).

[xtiger]

Maybe WUAB can get it.....And let Superhost do the play by play!

Who would you get to do the color commentating??

[The Butler]

The Browns will have a new preseason home.

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[Fats]

my understanding is that the contract can not be broken unless certain criteria is meant. I do not think that airing a public record should be a legal basis for breaking a contract.

[TigerCoach]

I think that criteria has been met. Some of these media outlets, including newspapers, need to get a refresher course on media ethics.

[longtimefirsttime]

An agreement reportedly has been reached. Lerner will bite his tongue as WOIO airs the pre-season games. When the contract expires don't look for him to ever throw much business their way again (of course theres not much he can do when CBS airs a Browns game). There has been a big crackdown on how the media covers training camp. It's been rumored that Channel 19 was walking around camp last year like they owned the place, taking bottled water out of the team refrigerator and one of it's female anchors acting quite unprofessionally.

[obie0130]

it's been my observation that many of the "anchors" and "reporters" (if you want to call them that) at 19 are frequently unprofessional.

[xtiger]

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Browns win a court battle with WOIO
12:10 p.m.

A Cuyahoga County judge on Tuesday rejected WOIO-TV Channel 19's plea to block the Cleveland Browns from severing its relationship with the station.

The decision by Common Pleas Judge Timothy McMonagle allows the Browns to seek a new station to air its preseason games and pre-game, post-game and weekday shows during the regular season, said Browns attorney Robert Duvin.

"My guess is that the Browns will move with lightning speed" to sign an exclusive television contract with a new station, Duvin said. An announcement on a deal could come within days, he said.

The Browns broke its three-year, $4 million contract with Channel 19 on July 13, accusing the station's reporters of sensationalized and negative coverage of the team and its players. The decision came four days after Channel 19 Action News broadcasted tapes of a 9-1-1 call placed by team owner Randy Lerner's sister, Nancy Fisher, after finding her 6-year-old daughter drowned on the family's property in Portage County.

Channel 19's lawyers had argued to the judge that the station's news division was separate from its sports division, and that the team had no justifiable reason to end the contract. The station had sought a temporary restraining order and an injunction preserving the contract with the Browns, which McMonagle denied.

"I think we had a good argument for injunctive relief, but the judge didn't see it that way," said attorney Jack Kluznik. "Whether he thought we hadn't suffered irreparable harm, I don't know."

McMonagle said he considered the station's request and determined it wasn't warranted. He said his decision did not address the standing of the remainder of the lawsuit, in which Channel 19 seeks compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $25,000.

Duvin said he expects a financial settlement to be reached soon.

"Now that we know we're going somewhere else, the Lerners will look to seek a rational settlement rather than to prolong the pain," Duvin said.

"This case had nothing to do with money for the Browns, and there's no happiness for the Browns regarding the outcome. It's what the Browns wanted. They needed to sever their relationship," Duvin said.

By James F. McCarty, jmccarty@plaind.com

[Kamd50]

I am just tickled to hear that! Thanks for the info:thumbsup: It's nice to hear that common decency comes out on top every once in a while.

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

Randy Lerner is making his move and he made it pretty fast! Hopefully the next station will have better reporting on the Browns, who are three-time AFC finalists.

[obie0130]

why would you even care?

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

obie0130,

That will be the only nice thing I have to say about the mutts, er...Browns.

Speaking of which, I don't want to drop a bombshell but as much as Massillon backers despise their high school archrival...why do you all continue to cheer for the Dawg Pound...especially when there is a player named MCKINLEY on the team...that being ALVIN MCKINLEY :hyper: ?

There is no way you or anyone else who likes the Browns can get around this one!

P.S. Since joining the Browns in 2001...McKinley along with the rest of the Dawg Pound is 1-10 against my world champion Pittsburgh Steelers! And if that's an indication of something, I know what this makes Pittsburgh............

[obie0130]

you sure seem to know alot about the browns for being a pitt fan.

[The Butler]

Look for channel 5, WEWS to be the new "local" home of the Browns.

Well, I guessed wrong. I should leave media prognastication to my buddy longtime. WKYC, Channel 3, is the new pre-season home of the Browns. The deal includes pre and post game show during the pre-season and an 11:30 pregame show on Sundays.

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[gotigers1]

Well, I guessed wrong. I should leave media prognastication to my buddy longtime. WKYC, Channel 3, is the new pre-season home of the Browns. The deal includes pre and post game show during the pre-season and an 11:30 pregame show on Sundays.

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Make sence to me. They have the Indians and a stake in Sportstime Ohio. I have to admit, they have the BEST local HD feed going right now.

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

You're getting this from Keno Sultan and me personally:

I am raised with Pittsburgh blood. I am deeply aware of the Steelers-Browns rivalry. This season, the 87th of the National Football League will mark the 109th contest between the two AFC North rivals, which the Browns lead 55-53.

How can I not forget the Terry Bradshaw takedown by Turkey Jones, Jack Lambert knocking Browns players out of the game, and the fanfare between the two fanbases?

Pride...persistence...power...passion...perseverance...Pittsburgh Steelers! One thing that you never knew about me is that I am also a moderator for a Steelers fan group...Pittsburgh Steelers All The Way (no questions asked)! I really enjoy being a moderator for a team who has championship tradition!!

P.S. Hope you enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Eve last year! Steelers 41, Browns 0!!!!! And don't forget James Harrison taking down Nathan Mallett too!!!!!

[gotigers1]

Did someone hear something??

[DAWGH8R]

That would have been the funnies if the Browns couldn't work out a contract with one of the local networks. Myself, I'd rather watch paint dry !!!

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