Cleveland Browns will have new radio homes for next season, say sources
By Tom Reed The Plain Dealer March 26, 2013
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are changing radio homes in Cleveland and it will include unprecedented triple coverage on game days.
Multiple sources have told The Plain Dealer the Browns are entering into a long-term deal to have their games broadcast on WKNR 850/AM, WKRK 92.3/FM and WNCX 98.5/FM. The franchise’s games had been aired on Clear Channel Communication stations since they returned in 1999.
The Browns, who declined comment, are expected to make an announcement on Thursday, a source said. The News-Herald first reported the deal.
The most unusual aspect of the agreement is that WKNR (ESPN) and WKRK (CBS) are rival sports talk stations. They entered into negotiations with the Browns bidding against each other, a source said, but at some point decided to join forces against Clear Channel, which had broadcast Browns games on flagship WMMS 100.7/FM and simulcast on WTAM 1100/AM.
Negotiations for the deal began to heat up in January, a source said, not long after the Browns hired new team president Alec Scheiner. The agreement allows the Browns to be aired on AM and FM stations without worries of a conflict with Indians games. That occasionally was a problem on WTAM.
WNCX is added to the mix as it as a CBS Radio affiliate with WKRK. Representatives from WKNR nor WKRK could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
As part of the agreement, the Browns are expected to double their auxiliary programming hours from 500 to 1,000 annually, a source said. There will be a Rob Chudzinski coach’s show and the Cleveland Browns Daily Show will expand from one hour to two hours on WKNR.
On game days WKNR -- owned by Good Karma Broadcasting -- will host a four-hour pre-game show, a source said, while WKRK follows with a two-hour post-game show.
Browns play-by-play man Jim Donovan and analyst Doug Dieken will continue to anchor the radio broadcasts.
Well ..... Good Karma definitely can't hurt ........
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
From a personal standpoint I don't like the move. After dark, which is 6:00 PM during football season, I can pick up WTAM. Some fade in and out, but mostly in....I liked to listen after games. 850 doesn't have that reach.
For you locals, how far of a reach does 850 have? On the Monday morning drive back home I like to listen to the local coverage of the game in the morning. Does it fade away around Mansfield? Columbus.....Cincy?
I found my own answer on Wiki:
Quote: On May 15, 1999, WRMR upgraded its daytime signal to 50,000 watts with a new transmitter pattern built at the old WJW/WRMR site in North Royalton. The station's daytime signal remains present in much of northern Ohio, though the station must protect the signal of WKGE 850-AM in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, impairing the signal to the south and as close in as Cuyahoga Falls and Akron.[9]
I am sure Wills and Snyder will still cover things. Just not as much.
Last edited by Ballpeen; 03/27/1307:32 AM.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
I picked up WTAM in Cocoa Beach, Florida one night a few years back. Very strong signal. I've never gotten 'KNR south of Mansfield. I'm assuming there will be a network of Browns' affiliate stations, at least from Columbus northward. If you're at home, you'll can stream the pre and post-game broadcast on your computer, but probably not the actual game.
I know I can stream it. This is more for listening as I go to bed or while driving in the car. It isn't for listening to the games. I either watch them at a local pub or am at the game in Cleveland.
Thanks for the Mansfield info....I had a feeling it wasn't going to keep me company for a couple of hours on Monday mornings as I make the drive home from Cleveland.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
It's really weird, but there's one small patch right near my house, where if I drive through, I can pick up WTAM. It comes in decent. I was messing around with the stations one day, and happened to pick up the tail end of an afternoon Cavs game.
Yeah, you kinda hope they'll be objective, but as the flagship station, I doubt it. On the other hand, Triv can now feel free to rip the Browns every move on 'TAM.
I like the move. Makes sense to me...expanding the reach and making more money from stations that want to have those rights.
Either way these stations had pre-game stuff, and just a word to the wise, steer clear of 850 WKNR. I'd recommend 92.3 FM. Those other guys are really, really bad.
Last edited by MemphisBrownie; 03/27/1309:49 AM.
At DT, context and meaning are a scarecrow kicking at moving goalposts.
If you have an iPhone, or Im sure a Droid works the same way, and a tape deck in your car (I know, who has tape decks anymore, I have an old beater I am driving until it dies) you can pick up one of those audio cassette adapters, I got one for under $5 on Amazon so I can stream from my iPhone through my cars speakers.
Its a very cheap alternative that actually works really well. Much better than the more expensive fm radio adapters.
Quote: From a personal standpoint I don't like the move. After dark, which is 6:00 PM during football season, I can pick up WTAM. Some fade in and out, but mostly in....I liked to listen after games. 850 doesn't have that reach.
For you locals, how far of a reach does 850 have? Does it fade away around Mansfield? Columbus.....Cincy?
I live approx. 1 hr. SE of Cloumbus 2.5-3 hrs. from Cleveland ... WKNR 850 Comes In Clear Until About 6-8pm WTAM is stonger in the nightime ... I love WKNR 850 it keeps me informed as I drive around
John 3:16 Jesus said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Quote: If you have an iPhone, or Im sure a Droid works the same way, and a tape deck in your car (I know, who has tape decks anymore, I have an old beater I am driving until it dies) you can pick up one of those audio cassette adapters, I got one for under $5 on Amazon so I can stream from my iPhone through my cars speakers.
Its a very cheap alternative that actually works really well. Much better than the more expensive fm radio adapters.
I run mine through the aux. My car is a 2007. I think most cars from like 2005ish on have the aux thing.
I have the tune-in app which was a few bucks but is the greatest app ever, and radio.com whcih runs 92.3 is free.
History lesson here. Back in the infancy of broadcast radio,most Am stations were powerful enough to override the broadcast signals of those from neighboring towns/states. In the case of a national emergency,this would have posed a nightmare. To rectify this problem the FCC awarded certain stations clear channel priority after 6pm.All other stations had to turn down their watts. This ruling,as all Gov't rulings do,led to an unintended consequence the super station. Millions in ad revenue poured into these select stations affording them the opportunity to pay for the best talent available pushing the other stations into the backwater. WGN out of Chicago had the 1st C&W show in the early 30's with The something or other Barndance,which was said could be heard allover the states,most of Canada and parts of Mexico.Now that's coverage. Those shows led to all the great radio personalities thru the 30's,40's and 50's and ended with,and I'm sure you know these guys Cousin Brucie and Wolfman Jack. TV and FM killed AM,but the National Emergency Broadcast Network still exists.That's why you can pick up certain stations after 6pm.
WTAM is a clear channel station ..... not just in name, but in classification. A clear channel (non caps) station has the highest level of protection against interference from other stations, and thus has the greatest potential coverage.
That is why WTAM can be received all over the eastern US.
The fact that WKNR recently upgraded their broadcasting power to 50,000 watts is a good sign for those outside the general area of Cleveland. I can pick up WTAM in my car, but can almost never get WKNR. However, WKNR is not a clear channel station, so they can never have the coverage WTAM does.
However, it is possible that there might be a station in Columbus or Cincinnati that might carry the Browns new programming that might reach Tennessee. Looking at the list of clear channel stations, WLW (700 AM) in Cincinnati is one, as is WCKY.(1530 AM) Maybe one of them will be on the new network, and carry some of the new Browns programming. It's probably worth checking out.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I know all about Clear Channel. I am a radio buff. I love listening to radio programming. We didn't even have a TV until I was maybe 7-8.....Dad called it a fad that wouldn't last.....lol.....had Mama not put her foot down in protest, we may not have had a TV until 1960. We went through the same thing with color TV....it was a fad that wouldn't last.
In todays world, we would just now be getting a flatscreen HD TV.
When I wake up at 3am, which is usual, I love turning on the AM radio and going through the channels to find all the far away places.....just as I did when I was 9.....though then I would sleep through the night.....I would do it a 9-10-11 Pm trying to fall asleep. I wake at 3 or so almost every morning, and scroll the dial for a hour ortwo before I finally get out of bed. I need 5-6 hours sleep.....and am about at the point I better tune out to get it because at anywhere between 3 and 3:45AM I will be awake.
WSM, 650 Nashville....the Oprey. 700 WLW,Cincy, 750, WSB Atl., 870 is New Orleans ......1120, KMOX, St. Louis....1100 WTAM, Cleveland.I can't scroll though all of them, nor have heard all of them, but I understand radio.....I tune l in all listed and listen in.....I run the dial
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
I did the same thing as a kid. I remember listening to CKLW-800 for Motown music back in the 60's, Tigers games on WJR-760, occasionally heard Bob Prince doing Pirates games from Pittsburgh, and even remember listening to (I think) WABC in New York for a Yankees game from the west coast late one night ... Mantle, Maris, Berra - it was a big wow back then. AM radio and the freight trains about a block away, going by the stock yards on the west side, used to put me to sleep every night as a boy.
I guess WTAM needed to make a choice between keeping Browns games on their radio station or keeping Mike Trivi-.. Feeding him is probably more expensive than we'll ever know.
"My opinions and feelings are mine and shall not be influenced by anyone....especially liberals."
No doubt man. Tune that dial and bring in a station hundreds of miles away....listening to games other than the Indians....commercials from far away places...seemed like other worlds back then.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
It is inconsistant here in CBus..there are times I can pickup 1100 even at night and other times it's faded out. in the mornings I can get both at home but the I have periods where cannot.
Quote: From a personal standpoint I don't like the move. After dark, which is 6:00 PM during football season, I can pick up WTAM. Some fade in and out, but mostly in....I liked to listen after games. 850 doesn't have that reach.
For you locals, how far of a reach does 850 have? On the Monday morning drive back home I like to listen to the local coverage of the game in the morning. Does it fade away around Mansfield? Columbus.....Cincy?
I found my own answer on Wiki:
Quote: On May 15, 1999, WRMR upgraded its daytime signal to 50,000 watts with a new transmitter pattern built at the old WJW/WRMR site in North Royalton. The station's daytime signal remains present in much of northern Ohio, though the station must protect the signal of WKGE 850-AM in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, impairing the signal to the south and as close in as Cuyahoga Falls and Akron.[9]
I am sure Wills and Snyder will still cover things. Just not as much.
I live in Kent, I guess about 40 miles SE of Cleveland and I can barely get in 850, if at all, and my 92.3 signal can be iffy at times.
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
When I lived in Atlanta, i would listen to 1100 clear as can be in the evenings. I used to go for a drive just to listen to Joe Tait call the Cavs games.
850 basically shuts down to the equivalent power of a toaster at 6 pm. If you are 5 miles outside of Cleveland, forget it. This sucks for them when the games start after 4 pm EST.
I'm just disappointed that the big announcement wasn't that Chuck Booms was fired. Bummer.
------------------------------ *In Baker we trust* -------------------------------
When I lived in Atlanta, i would listen to 1100 clear as can be in the evenings. I used to go for a drive just to listen to Joe Tait call the Cavs games.
850 basically shuts down to the equivalent power of a toaster at 6 pm. If you are 5 miles outside of Cleveland, forget it. This sucks for them when the games start after 4 pm EST.
I'm just disappointed that the big announcement wasn't that Chuck Booms was fired. Bummer.
I believe WKNR has increased their wattage. I'm sure that was a requirement if they were going to be an affiliate of an NFL team.
When I lived in Atlanta, i would listen to 1100 clear as can be in the evenings. I used to go for a drive just to listen to Joe Tait call the Cavs games.
850 basically shuts down to the equivalent power of a toaster at 6 pm. If you are 5 miles outside of Cleveland, forget it. This sucks for them when the games start after 4 pm EST.
I'm just disappointed that the big announcement wasn't that Chuck Booms was fired. Bummer.
I believe WKNR has increased their wattage. I'm sure that was a requirement if they were going to be an affiliate of an NFL team.
I wish firing Goldhammer was a requirement
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
I like Goldhammer. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, especially when it has to do with Ohio State, but I think he adds an element to the show that most shows don't give you.
I'm glad they canned Fedor, that needed to be done. The guy was so horrible. I respected his work on the draft, and with fantasy football, but outside of those 2 things, he offered nothing original or good. You can tell a guy like that never played sports before. He thinks football teams are built on skill position players.
The only thing Goldhammer offers is being a antagonist to rile people up. Mayb he has changed with Fedor gone, I don't know I stopped listening a long time ago because of Hammer. I didn't even know Fedor was gone.
It also annoys me that Kenny Roda has become ESPNs go to guy on a national level when it comes to the opinion of Browns fans, and I like Kenny, but as a Steelers fan he should not be speaking on behalf of Browns fans.
KING
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
I'm listening to WTAM cuze I wanted to see if what I suspected was going to happen..yep.ole fat boy Triv is ripping the new radio partners,calling them minor league, and he's ripping Dovovan and Dieken saying they are the worse play by play announcers..
Ha..caller said he was crying over the Browns move..he denied it..but he does sound like a jilted lover. Sounds spiteful..he's ripping the whole Browns organization.
Quote: The only thing Goldhammer offers is being a antagonist to rile people up. Mayb he has changed with Fedor gone, I don't know I stopped listening a long time ago because of Hammer. I didn't even know Fedor was gone.
It also annoys me that Kenny Roda has become ESPNs go to guy on a national level when it comes to the opinion of Browns fans, and I like Kenny, but as a Steelers fan he should not be speaking on behalf of Browns fans.
KING
Totally agree with you about Roda. I actually think he's really good when it's just basketball. He knows his stuff. You can tell he watches the games.
When it's football, you can tell some of the stuff he says, especially on twitter, is to irk Browns fans. Hey at least he's actually a steeler fan that is actually from Pittsburgh.
I feel like when he talks about the game, he is always looking for the bad marks, the negative. We all know there has been plenty of that, but I thought over the last few seasons there have been some positive things too, and they don't even mention that.
If you never watched the games, or paid attention to box scores, and relied only on what the local media says, you would think there hasn't been anything good witht his team at all. Literally nothing. 0-16 bad, every single year.
Fat Boy Triv really believes he's the only thing that matters in Cleveland... Generally speaking I am not a fan at all of talk shows who have adopted the "everyone is entitled to my opinion" slogan and Fat Boy is a poster child for that.
Maybe one reason Triv is pissed off because he won't have press credentials and free food at CBS anymore.
He called Donovan and Dieken "the worst" play by play announcers? Wow. Maybe he needs this...he fits the bill daily...
"My opinions and feelings are mine and shall not be influenced by anyone....especially liberals."
It also annoys me that Kenny Roda has become ESPNs go to guy on a national level when it comes to the opinion of Browns fans, and I like Kenny, but as a Steelers fan he should not be speaking on behalf of Browns fans.
KING
I agree. Same goes with the Bull on 92.3. He's a Bungles fan, so personally I don't need someone like him as well speaking for the fans of the Browns.
"My opinions and feelings are mine and shall not be influenced by anyone....especially liberals."
It annoys me that a grown man calls himself "The Bull".
As for this new "Browns Network" or whatever they call it, it seems tremendously rinky-dink to me and it's a HUGE downgrade over what they had... I don't care if it does add another hour to Cleveland Browns Daily - if you can't hear it, what good is it? Three stations to replace one is not a good move in this instance.
I just hope that 570 WKBN or 93.3 picks them up locally.
"If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college" GO ROCKETS
FWIW, if you want to listen to Vic Carucci's Browns' Show or any of the pre-game or post-game shows, they're streamed at http://espncleveland.com/ . I read here that you could also get it on your smart phone, not that I'd know anything about that since I still have a Motorola bag-phone.
I will say this ..... I was listening to WTAM a little bit ago, and they are in full meltdown mode.
I haven't heard Triv whine like that since he heard that the Golden Buffet might put a tonnage limit on individual meals.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Andre Knott said something about not having to watch the Browns play anymore, and being able to watch "good football" now. They all said that the Browns just took the money to go to a #2 radio station ....... which might be true ..... but Browns programming in Cleveland will be a massive ratings boost. I doubt that WKNR will overtake WTAM, even in football season ..... but I bet they get a whole lot closer.
Then Triv, Knott, and some other guy said something about how they can now give their real opinions, while knocking the "hacks" on WKNR, who never had a good word to say about the team.
Overall, it's meltdown time. I bet the Triv show has its topic for the next week.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
It would be massive hypocrisy for Triv to call other station's on-air talent shills, after the way he carried Al Lerner's and Carmen Policy's water when they were here. He'll do it, too.
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