Cavs TV Team

[vjm]

The Cavs have made a slight tweak to their TV broadcast team.

Jeff Phelps is now the fulltime pregame/postgame host with Campy Russell, with sideline reporting duties being taken over by Allyson Clifton, coming over from WTVG-13 (ABC) Toledo.

This now means Phepls will no longer be traveling with the team, doing the pregame show from the Q for home games, and from the FS Ohio studio for road games. This should make life easier with his other job, doing middays with Andy Baskin over on 92.3 The Fan, as now nobody has to worry about ISDN lines or being out on the West Coast or being snowed in somewhere, or any other bugaboos that plauged the radio show last year when Phelps was on the road.

 

[Whkam1420]

Sigh, another inexperienced girl gets a gig that used to go to seasoned vets. Maybe she'll be promoting ticket sales like the STO girl. Or maybe she'll "have relations" with the team she covers like the Fox girl (or technically, the STO girl).

Here's the girl's recent demo tape, which most news directors would scoff at in even small markets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EkmRjedyl4

 

[vjm]

Sigh, another inexperienced girl gets a gig that used to go to seasoned vets. Maybe she'll be promoting ticket sales like the STO girl. Or maybe she'll "have relations" with the team she covers like the Fox girl (or technically, the STO girl).

Here's the girl's recent demo tape, which most news directors would scoff at in even small markets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EkmRjedyl4

Now that you mention it, FSO may very well want their own version of Katie Witham (the Indians field reporter on STO/channel 3).

I'll even throw in Browns radio sideline guy Jamir Howerton in the comparison...the teams want a rah-rah guy/girl as part of their broadcasting team to help put over the team.

All the teams these days want to "control the narrative" to use a political buzzword of the day, and a younger reporter getting their first big gig will be more likely to "play ball" with that way of thinking then a seasoned pro who's been there/done that like Jeff Phelps or Andre Knott.

 

[analog420]

Regarding Cleveland sports P-B-P in general, Jimmy Dudley and Tom Manning are spinning in their graves....

 

[vjm]

Regarding Cleveland sports P-B-P in general, Jimmy Dudley and Tom Manning are spinning in their graves....

The PBP isn't bad in and of itself.

The Tribe is actually pretty solid in this department (one of the few they are good in) with the Hammy and Rosey Show on the radio, and Underwood/Manning on TV.

The Browns are solid as a rock with Donovan/Dieken.

Buckeyes PBP man Paul Keels is a Ohio Broadcasting Hall of Famer, and one of the best college announcers around.

The jury is still out on Jon Micheal and Jim Chones on Cavs radio, as this will be their first full non-lockout year at the helm.

Now Fred McLeod on Cavs TV does over do it with the rah-rah stuff, and the over the top patronizing of NEO.

Austin Carr is not bad when it comes to being an actual analyst (Michael Reghi would always pick AC's brain for nuts and bolts Xs & Os) but all McLeod is interested in is setting AC up for his catchphrases. There are times where AC really does want to make an actual point, and Fred almost grabs his arm to make him say a catchphrase, whether AC really wants to or not.

It's this new breed of sideline reporting (Witham/Howerton/Clifton) that's lees about the game and more about propoganda ("Brandon Weeden looks to be hurt guys, to find out more about the injury, go to Clevelandbrowns.com. While you're there, check out the online team shop.")

 

[Tim]

Of late, a lot of women are finding themselves on sports play-by-play teams as on-the-field "reporters"....whatever. Not saying they don't have talent, but let's be real: guys like to look at and hear women.

i.e.: do you think Robin Meade on CNN's Headline news was hired for her journalism background? I'm sure she's been a good reporter, but she's there for her looks. Pretty lady, for sure.

I have an expression I really believe: you use what you have (skills, abilities, attributes) in the business world. Again, not meaning to be insulting, just being real.

As for younger & younger, lesser experienced TV folks....hey, though they claim it's an attempt to appeal/reach younger viewers, the reality is a lot of it is to save $$$$$$ as local TV revenues continue to fall in non-national election years.

A TV buddy of mine who lives/works in a big TV market tells me to expect this younger/cheaper to continue....and local TV stations to increase the hours-per-day of live/locally-produced news-sports-features because the major networks are considering creating their own national cable channels and stop affilliating with local TV stations.

For example: when these national network channels begin to operate on cable/satellite...and you want to watch NCIS...you won't go to your local CBS TV affilliate because they won't carry any CBS programming any more...you'll go to the CBS channel on cable/satellite (much like USA, CNN, The Weather Channel, etc.). Cha-cha-changes, indeed.

 

[Whkam1420]

I don't know that there's any evidence to support that viewership improves or is sustained based on the looks of sideline reporters. ESPN just let Erin Andrews go (although filled her spot with another cute girl)...but ESPN's ratings didn't any way improve because Erin Andrews was there. These stations overthink things time and time again. Fox Sports will probably be mocked more for hiring a college-level reporter than people will flock to the television to see that same reporter.

You're spot on about the cheaper hiring practices, so I agree there. Although, there are guys that are exponentially more experienced that would just do a flat-out better job if given that opportunity.

 

[vjm]

I don't know that there's any evidence to support that viewership improves or is sustained based on the looks of sideline reporters. ESPN just let Erin Andrews go (although filled her spot with another cute girl)...but ESPN's ratings didn't any way improve because Erin Andrews was there. These stations overthink things time and time again. Fox Sports will probably be mocked more for hiring a college-level reporter than people will flock to the television to see that same reporter.

You're spot on about the cheaper hiring practices, so I agree there. Although, there are guys that are exponentially more experienced that would just do a flat-out better job if given that opportunity.

Fox gave Erin Andrews a queen's ransom to host their new Saturday night college football pregame show (which will also feature former Buckeye and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George).

It wasn't like the four letter network just said "ho-hum, goodbye". They bent over backwords pushing her as a star, and when her contract came up, Fox pulled up the Brinks truck.

 

[Whkam1420]

I don't know that there's any evidence to support that viewership improves or is sustained based on the looks of sideline reporters. ESPN just let Erin Andrews go (although filled her spot with another cute girl)...but ESPN's ratings didn't any way improve because Erin Andrews was there. These stations overthink things time and time again. Fox Sports will probably be mocked more for hiring a college-level reporter than people will flock to the television to see that same reporter.

You're spot on about the cheaper hiring practices, so I agree there. Although, there are guys that are exponentially more experienced that would just do a flat-out better job if given that opportunity.

Fox gave Erin Andrews a queen's ransom to host their new Saturday night college football pregame show (which will also feature former Buckeye and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George).

It wasn't like the four letter network just said "ho-hum, goodbye". They bent over backwords pushing her as a star, and when her contract came up, Fox pulled up the Brinks truck.

Absolutely true, however, ESPN won't lose one viewer because she left the station. So bring this discussion back to the local level. What sense does it truly make for these stations to hire these girls out of college when there's much better out there that will work for similar money and won't embarrass themselves on the air?

 

[vjm]

I don't know that there's any evidence to support that viewership improves or is sustained based on the looks of sideline reporters. ESPN just let Erin Andrews go (although filled her spot with another cute girl)...but ESPN's ratings didn't any way improve because Erin Andrews was there. These stations overthink things time and time again. Fox Sports will probably be mocked more for hiring a college-level reporter than people will flock to the television to see that same reporter.

You're spot on about the cheaper hiring practices, so I agree there. Although, there are guys that are exponentially more experienced that would just do a flat-out better job if given that opportunity.

Fox gave Erin Andrews a queen's ransom to host their new Saturday night college football pregame show (which will also feature former Buckeye and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George).

It wasn't like the four letter network just said "ho-hum, goodbye". They bent over backwords pushing her as a star, and when her contract came up, Fox pulled up the Brinks truck.

Absolutely true, however, ESPN won't lose one viewer because she left the station. So bring this discussion back to the local level. What sense does it truly make for these stations to hire these girls out of college when there's much better out there that will work for similar money and won't embarrass themselves on the air?

Bottom line:

The local stations are trying to find their version of Erin Andrews. Be it Allie LaForce on WJW, Katie Witham on STO, or now Allie Clifton on FSO.

 

[Whkam1420]

I don't know that there's any evidence to support that viewership improves or is sustained based on the looks of sideline reporters. ESPN just let Erin Andrews go (although filled her spot with another cute girl)...but ESPN's ratings didn't any way improve because Erin Andrews was there. These stations overthink things time and time again. Fox Sports will probably be mocked more for hiring a college-level reporter than people will flock to the television to see that same reporter.

You're spot on about the cheaper hiring practices, so I agree there. Although, there are guys that are exponentially more experienced that would just do a flat-out better job if given that opportunity.

Fox gave Erin Andrews a queen's ransom to host their new Saturday night college football pregame show (which will also feature former Buckeye and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George).

It wasn't like the four letter network just said "ho-hum, goodbye". They bent over backwords pushing her as a star, and when her contract came up, Fox pulled up the Brinks truck.

Absolutely true, however, ESPN won't lose one viewer because she left the station. So bring this discussion back to the local level. What sense does it truly make for these stations to hire these girls out of college when there's much better out there that will work for similar money and won't embarrass themselves on the air?

Bottom line:

The local stations are trying to find their version of Erin Andrews. Be it Allie LaForce on WJW, Katie Witham on STO, or now Allie Clifton on FSO.

Isn't that kind of silly? Those girls will all be gone quickly if they're any good (they'll get snatched up by a bigger market). If they suck, then it was a bad hire to begin with. These stations are going about things completely wrong. If they hire the right people, it will enhance the broadcast and there will be a mutual desire for build stability. Why Fox 8 would build their whole brand around Laforce is beyond me considering she'll be gone in a year. And again, I don't think one more person decided to watch Fox 8 highlights of their high school team b/c she was voicing them.

 

[vjm]

The local stations are trying to find their version of Erin Andrews. Be it Allie LaForce on WJW, Katie Witham on STO, or now Allie Clifton on FSO.

Isn't that kind of silly? Those girls will all be gone quickly if they're any good (they'll get snatched up by a bigger market). If they suck, then it was a bad hire to begin with. These stations are going about things completely wrong. If they hire the right people, it will enhance the broadcast and there will be a mutual desire for build stability. Why Fox 8 would build their whole brand around Laforce is beyond me considering she'll be gone in a year. And again, I don't think one more person decided to watch Fox 8 highlights of their high school team b/c she was voicing them.

They're not thinking long term...

They're thinking right here, right now. If these girls are any good, then they'll move on certainly, and then the stations will go looking for the next one.

My whole point was that Erin Andrews has now established a template that other stations are trying to copy...be it at the national or local level.

And the EA template is that the sideline reporter (because's she's nice looking) becoming just as much of a featured attraction as the game itself.

 

[vjm]

The local stations are trying to find their version of Erin Andrews. Be it Allie LaForce on WJW, Katie Witham on STO, or now Allie Clifton on FSO.

Isn't that kind of silly? Those girls will all be gone quickly if they're any good (they'll get snatched up by a bigger market). If they suck, then it was a bad hire to begin with. These stations are going about things completely wrong. If they hire the right people, it will enhance the broadcast and there will be a mutual desire for build stability. Why Fox 8 would build their whole brand around Laforce is beyond me considering she'll be gone in a year. And again, I don't think one more person decided to watch Fox 8 highlights of their high school team b/c she was voicing them.

A year?!?!

Try 6 weeks from the time that last post was written.

So what's the over/under on when Katie Witham leaves for greener pastures?

 

[CleveRadioInsider]

As far as I am concerned the Allie LaForce's, Katie Withams and the rest of the eye candy on the sideline can hit the road now and there will be no loss. Erin Andrews left ESPN and nobody missed her. Hire people with real qualifications not eye candy. I also feel the same way about the guy on the Browns sideline during the broadcast as far as being a no talent. Stick to beer money guy because you are truly awful to listen too. Andre Knott should have that job.