As Sunday's Browns game with Seattle finished regulation time tied 30-30, WTAM stopped the coverage to air the Cavaliers pre-game show. I couldn't believe my ears. Of course, some could have tuned into the FM outlet WMMS or another of the stations on the radio network or quickly find a TV, but what about those from hundreds of miles away who were listening to WTAM's 50,000 watt signal? Those who were relying on WTAM missed the Browns' defensive stand in overtime and Phil Dawson's game-winning field goal. I know about "contractual obligations, but such actions just do not serve the listening public.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
WTAM CUTS BROADCAST COVERAGE OF BROWNS FOR CAVS
- Thread starter Cincinnati Kid
- Start date
Technically WTAM Is co-flagship with WMMS being the flagship station of the browns. if WTAM isnt called a co flagship then WTAM is an affilliate of the Browns radio Network. and Since WTAM is the Flagship of the Cavs' they take first rights over brown's on WTAM. if it was the other way around WMMS was the flagship of the cav's and the browns were co-flagship/affilliate of the browns. WMMS Would have then dumped the Browns for the cavs. LOL would have been interesting it this would have happened in October with a Preseason Cav's Game, Post Season Indians Game and the Browns playing with in the same window who would get bounced off to another CC Sation or an outside station in cleveland
Here's how the contracts work:
WMMS is regarded as THE flagship for the Browns Radio Network. Most, if not ALL, NFL teams wish to have their teams games primarily carrried on the FM dial (I don't know when this trend began, but it likely occurred during the Browns' hiatus in the mid-90s). AM skywave be damned - and it is with IBOC. I agree: this translates into WTAM being just an affiliate, only they've never referenced it as such (only as "the AM home of the Browns").
Technically, that's why if Good Karma Broadcasting wanted to get the Browns rights away from CC for WKNR/850, they need either an FM partner/sister station to have a shot.
WTAM had to break away for the Cavs game because they AREN'T the must-carry Browns flagship but ARE for the Cavaliers. I would believe that there was some heavy-duty praying/gnashing of teeth at 6200 Oaktree, but WTAM leaving the game for the Cavs pregame show isn't a mortal sin. Besides, the Browns game was supposed to over in time for 1100 to jump to the Cavs network without a problem. Obviously that wasn't the case, but that's life.
Now, if there was a "nuclear scenario" as a postseason Indians/regular season Browns/preseason Cavs all at the same time, CC has four other stations to dump the spillover on. Naturally, the Cavs game would be PRESEASON - so it would be on either WMJI, WMVX or WGAR. The Browns stay on WMMS, and the Indians on WTAM. Problem solved.
- nate81
WMMS is regarded as THE flagship for the Browns Radio Network. Most, if not ALL, NFL teams wish to have their teams games primarily carrried on the FM dial (I don't know when this trend began, but it likely occurred during the Browns' hiatus in the mid-90s). AM skywave be damned - and it is with IBOC. I agree: this translates into WTAM being just an affiliate, only they've never referenced it as such (only as "the AM home of the Browns").
Technically, that's why if Good Karma Broadcasting wanted to get the Browns rights away from CC for WKNR/850, they need either an FM partner/sister station to have a shot.
WTAM had to break away for the Cavs game because they AREN'T the must-carry Browns flagship but ARE for the Cavaliers. I would believe that there was some heavy-duty praying/gnashing of teeth at 6200 Oaktree, but WTAM leaving the game for the Cavs pregame show isn't a mortal sin. Besides, the Browns game was supposed to over in time for 1100 to jump to the Cavs network without a problem. Obviously that wasn't the case, but that's life.
Now, if there was a "nuclear scenario" as a postseason Indians/regular season Browns/preseason Cavs all at the same time, CC has four other stations to dump the spillover on. Naturally, the Cavs game would be PRESEASON - so it would be on either WMJI, WMVX or WGAR. The Browns stay on WMMS, and the Indians on WTAM. Problem solved.
- nate81
I know about "contractual obligations, but such actions just do not serve the listening public.
Bottom line.... WTAM agreed to carry the Cavs and there was a network in place including Cleveland flagship WMMS. This happens on TV, too. I can remember a couple of times where a 1:00 NFL game on TV has gone past the start of the Browns game and it could be tied with 20 seconds on the clock and the kicker is running towards the ball for a field goal attempt and the local station will dump out to start covering the Browns. Aggravating, yes.... but a fact of life.
Bottom line.... WTAM agreed to carry the Cavs and there was a network in place including Cleveland flagship WMMS. This happens on TV, too. I can remember a couple of times where a 1:00 NFL game on TV has gone past the start of the Browns game and it could be tied with 20 seconds on the clock and the kicker is running towards the ball for a field goal attempt and the local station will dump out to start covering the Browns. Aggravating, yes.... but a fact of life.
Nathan Obral said:
In December here in Indianapolis we will for the first time in 10 years that a colts Game and a pacers game will run into same time airings. the Colts Flagship Stations are WLHK & WIBC (WLHK has the GM's Show on Mondays so that makes me think technically how the contract is worded is that WLHK is the Flagship station with WIBC being co-Flagship since WIBC has been 2 time home of the colts since the team arrived in 1984 sans the 12 years the colts have been on WFBQ/WNDE) and WIBC is the Home of the Pacers. on the day the colts and pacers are playing almost same time Colts play at 1pm Pacers at 3pm WLHK will air all 9 hours of the colts PreGame, Play by Play and postGame. While WIBC Will Air the 3 hour pregame show and the 1st half of the colts game before Dumping out for the Pacers Pregame, Playby Play and postgame. then WIBC after pacers postgame show. will air its colts post postgame show. LOL Confusing for colts fans who listen to the colts on wibc (Im Sure WIBC will probly air messages alerting colts fans to switch over to FM in the pre and 1st half of the game.)
- Status