Oregon Media Insiders

Your just full of all sorts of exciting gossip today. 240,000 SILLY KIDS.

That's delicious!! Is it true??

How do you squeeze money from a dry stone?

A reliable source-also in the loop-told me the exact same thing. The eight minutes had already been seen and is definitely true.

Maybe Scott should have treated Joe Giansante with respect when Joe left Chambers for his job with the U-of-O. Word is Joe got in the face of the Chambers crew when they overstepped their bounds. If Joe hadn't been escorted out of the Chambers Palace when he announced his good fortune he might just have politely asked KEZI to cease and desist the other day. But Joe owes nothing to Chambers and understandably harbors resentment.

Scott---Your clumsy and spiteful handling of all employee matters comes back to haunt you when said employees remain in the community. Many of your high profile firees will repay the favor a little at a time for decades.

You can threaten legal action against lowly dismissed co-workers but I'd like to see you try threatening NBC with a countersuit. Good luck.

Everyone has got it wrong. I saw it. They ran 23 minutes. And the fine isn't 240,000. I saw the bill. It was 940,000. And as for Joe G getting in the face of the Chambers crew? He didn't get in their face, he spit in their face. Literally spit a big giant loogy right in all of their faces and then walked away laughing. Man I hate when people get their facts mixed up. That's what sucks about rumors. They never end being accurate. So please get it right. They ran 42 minutes of footage during an hour long special they aired after the first day of trials, they've been fined 1.3 million dollars, and Joe walked up to the KEZI crew and mooned them. At least I have decency to get my story straight before posting it.

Absolutely not true. This is a weak rumor at best. It's also untrue that Giansante got in the face of the Chambers crew. What would his grounds be for that? He isn't employed by NBC. He has no loyalty to NBC. It's not his place to get in anyone's face.

This is all a pack of lies and inflated half-truths, spread by catty former Chambers employees.

Am I mistaken here, or can a TV company issue a fine to another TV company? As far as I know, only a governmental agency (like the FCC) or a judge, can issue a fine. If NBC took issue with what KEZI allegedly did, they have the power to sue KEZI, or strip KEZI of their media credentials for the Trials, but a fine? NBC doesn't have the authority to fine someone.

To me, this exposes this whole story as s a highly over-exaggerated rumor.

I'm struggling to see the connection. Last I checked, Joe Giansante doesn't work for NBC Sports. Under what authority would Giansante be "getting in the face" of Chambers personnel? Are you implying that he turned in KEZI to NBC?

ohhhh poor petty little big man Mark must have pulled what remains of his hair from his head. So with the Bend venture still in hash marks, and now this, better hope Medford stays on track.

Does anyone have any idea what's going on? Or is everyone actually just screaming insults towards Chambers?

Threads like this are proof that this blog has lost all standards and credibility. What used to be a pretty decent venue for Oregon Media scoops, is now just a sounding board meant to hurl insults. I guess everything eventually slips into the gutter, a la medialine and tvspy message boards. Get you page under control, Lynn. This untrue rumor is nothing more than gossip spread by disgruntled employees.

Actually NBC has the right to seek restitution for broadcasting any video that has an embargo on a particular market of an event such as the olympic trials since they are the official network for the olympics.It is a form of copyright infingement. They pay alot of money for the broadcast and production rights of these events.
News feeds do this all the time when special events that are slated for air on other stations at a later time or if the event happens during a news cast (sports, concerts, and the such). Now here is where it gets sticky even the affiliates are prohibited to broadcast any footage of an event that has not aired by their networks and since NBC owns alot of different "networks" they can broadcast whatever sporting event they want and whereever they want... that includes NBC USA Networks, MSNBC and the such. So here is my opinion on this thing: KEZI should have known better if in fact that is what happend. If special arrangements were made then someone in the Chambers Legal Department better get on the ball and get this sorted out. I know it doesn't seem right for a big network to make example of us small folks just grasping for the crumbs left behind .. but I dont think we would appreciate it if one of our broadcast bretherens used footage of an event that the other paid so much for through the nose to get the "exclusive" rights to broadcast the event... so onthat I have to say "naughty naughty"

What we don't know:

1) was there a special deal that allowed them to use the footage for their special ?

2) was the footage aired during the embargo ? ( if the program airs during our prime time schedule at 8pm and is over by 11pm then the embargo would be in place from the start of the event ( lets say 9am ) to 12 midnight and assuming there is such clause that probably means footage that is shot by any other station as well )

3) who didn't read the fine print ? thats a spanking on their part...

I'd like to know the details. If it was special programming, then KEZI is at fault. To my knowledge, NBC only permits affiliates to re-air video during programs in which news is the main content(i.e. a nightly newscast). So if KEZI produced some sort of special program and used trials video, they're in violation.

Surely someone has some credible, non-gossip info on this.

When the basic facts are confirmed, will the essential elements already stated on this post be recognized as credible, non-gossip info? The beauty of this forum is that truth can be dispensed without anyone risking getting fired. If you have had any inside knowledge of any topic you see on this forum you'll realize that the rumors and speculation generally end up being right on---because they are often posted by people in the know.

I'm sure the first step in the process of a terms of use violation would be NBC stripping KEZI of all media credentials. Are the KEZI guys still at the trials? Yes they are. To me, that fact says a lot more about the truth than a series of unconfirmed, uncredited, anonymous allegations.

Wow, all you have to do is follow the thread. It starts with a post saying kezi ran 8 minutes of video. Joe G getting in the face of the chambers crew, then in an obvious joke, someone mentions a special. Threads that follow, then seem to take the special thing seriously, and people begin having a serious discussion about whether kezi had permission from NBC. A "bill" to kezi also appears in a post. Seriously stop and think: do you really think they send a bill to stations in situations like this? As the first step? And what would Joe G have to do with it? As someone else said, he could care less what stations do. He works for the U of O. This thread, all by itself, exemplifies how rumors work. Just go back and read it from the start, and see where it ends up at the bottom. Here's a guess as to what happened: KEZI ran like 2:30 on some night....it turns into 4. Someone at KMTR says something. It turns into NBC fining them. Joe G stops by and chats with guys he's friendly with at Chambers. Turns into him getting into their faces. And now its all morphed into hour long specials, lawsuits, etc. Why? Becasue people want to believe it, because many people really dont like Chambers. And that's fine. But don't let you're hatred make you stupid. Unless you think it's just fun to spread rumors. And if that's the case, have at it! It's a free country!

otherwise why did the company just let go of their chief photog Scott Phillips? I've heard that he was the one who put their material together and broadcast it. Anyone know anything?

Was Joe G standing on a box spitting loogies into people's faces?

KEZI aired 8mins. of highlights in their "Sunday Sports Extra" that runs weekly after a shortened 11p newscast. They took the video from NBC's east coast feed and aired it before the west coast showing, in clear violation of the USATF/NBC Trials coverage rules. NBC sent them a bill for $750,000. They likely won't have to pay the whole thing, NBC trying to make more of a point. This info comes from NewsChannel's Trials coverage coordinator. She's out of L.A. and has been stationed at Hayward for the last week.

Not sure how Giansante's name got dragged into this. For better or worse he's not connected.

8 minutes. Everyone keeps talking about 8 minutes. The rule is 2. Really? Sam and Derek ran 8 minutes? They really missed by 6 minutes? Wow, that would be amazing. Guarantee 95% of the people posting have actually seen the 8 minutes. Here's what I can guarantee: KEZI did not run 8 minutes of hi-lights. Guaranteed. Didn't happen. If you think so, I have a bridge to sell you. Don't know about all that other stuff, but being that the 8-minutes seems to be the whole foundation of this thread, I'd say the thread is on flimsy ground. Now all of a sudden an NBC official is popping up? And telling other people about a 750,000 dollar bill? People receive bills for services rendered. You get a bill from your trash company because they pick up the trash. You don't receive a bill for doing something wrong. The police fine you when you speed, right? They represent the government. The IRS issues fines. The FCC issues fines. A bank collects a fee that is pre-established when you sign up with them. Bounce a check, you pay 25 bucks. It's a fee both parties agree on ahead of time. TV stations don't issue fines. It's amazing how little common sense some people have. Companies sue each other. That's how they get money. And if this alleged Newschannel employee was really telling people about lawsuits, she'd be out on her a$$ in 2 seconds. It's either not true, or she is one of the dumbest NBC employees on the payroll. Get a clue.

Yes, we all did see the 8 minutes of 'restricted content' that KEZI ran on their Sunday show. According to NBC's guidelines, highlights and interviews shot in the media area are subject to fair-use guidelines. That means you can only use two minutes per newscast. The bill/lawsuit/fine or whatever you choose to call it was presented by NBC's lawyers during a visit to the KEZI headquarters. During that visit, the NBC contingent also requested KEZI return all credentials issued for the trials. Obviously, that didn't happen, and they worked it out--somehow. The details of what happened after that are more than likely going to be sketchy due to Mama Chambers keeping things on the down-low.

People who say nothing happened either a) don't know, b) don't want to show, or c) are just here spewing garbage.

Jesus F-ing Christ! Don't you people have anything else to do?! Its sick how you guys are playing this childs game of telephone. Grow up and get back to work.

no surprise that sam and derek aired more video than permitted, not the brightest bunch.
as for scott philips-left on his own.
joe g. would get in somebody's face, but don't know about the chambers incident probably a bunch of crap.
if chambers did get fined, chances are it will go unpaid, he's known not to pay his bills just ask the u of o.

Well, there you go. The perfect out. A backroom deal that the Chambers family will keep on the down-low. No one will ever get to know the "truth". Well here's what I can tell you: I have friends who work there. They dug out the infamous aircheck that contained the 8 minute show. I am sorry to inform everyone, the 8 minutes doesn't exist. Seriously, ask anyone over there to look at it. And everyone there in sports is still there. It donned on me based on what I know about Scott C, that if the Chambers family had paid even 10 dollars to NBC, someone's head would have rolled. And they're all still there. I applaud the person who got the yarn rolling, and kept it going for so long. It was a lot of fun. Started with 8-minutes, ends with NBC officials showing up at KEZi and cutting a deal. And so many of the posts were coming from someone who really "knew" what was going on. They had "seen" the footgae themselves. "Cheers" to you fine sir or sirs! It was a wonderful tale while it lasted, and even though it turned out to be false, it was highly entertaining! I look forward to a sequal!

THis is the persen that fiard SCot Philips. I fiard him but good. I tosed him out on his keester. He did't leeve on his own rekognisances. He was fiard reel good. No joke here. I done it. As fur the rumurs about 8 minuts. All true. I know for a fact. And the womun from news channel, she told me persenally that she met with the Chammbers at the KEZI office. Everytheng sayd here is true. I swear! I know this cause I'm smerter then you. I'm englightened. Your in denail.

I'm done with this forum. Don't get me wrong... I like a little gossip as much as the next guy/gal, but this thread in particular embodies everything that is wrong with OMI. The fact that the rumor was lobbed out there with a cowardly "I hear that" disclaimer by someone who should know better is downright disturbing.

Ready rant, and take!

Is it just me, or does every Eugene-based thread devolve into "bash the KEZI pinata"? Anytime there's anything even remotely related to Eugene or a station in the market, somehow it always gets thread-jacked into a stomp on KEZI party.

Downsizing at KMTR? KEZI's got it worse!

Oregon AP awards are announced? Let's count how many awards KEZI's not getting because they cut their photographers!

$4 a gallon gas prices? KEZI's news fleet is stocked with gas-guzzling SUV's!

Why not just create an "I hate KEZI" thread and get it over with? Why keep looking for awkward segues into the inevitable KEZI-bash, and instead just create a thread devoted just to the people who have an unquenchable thirst for KEZI blood?

Here we are ranting about something that apparently never even happened. Think about that for a moment. We're 30+ posts into this rumor-driven, factless thread, and only now does the original poster finally concede it may be "unproved." Meanwhile, KEZI is dragged through the mud yet again. The sad thing is, some people are silly enough to believe whatever is written here is fact, when it is rarely more than rumor, speculation, or jaded opinion.

The small minority who actually have genuine, authentic inside information have grown silent in fear of the not-so-silent majority spinning a topic into a hate-fest of their choosing. Like I said, I'm done. I can already feel a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders as I wipe my hands clean of OMI (Oh My, Insults!) and all that it has come to represent.

Ahhhhh.

Signed,

Not the GM,
Not the President,
Not the Owner,
Just Fed Up

I think some people are missing the saddest part of this story. The Chambers family is so infamous for their ineptitudery and cheapskatedness that almost any juicy rumor about their "broadcast empire", seems plausible.

I know it's nice to pretend that because on occasion there is some truth within a pack of lies that that justifies things, but I can't see that as being ok. It's one thing for a random poster to throw something out there that isn't true - but in this case it was you, and I think a lot of people expect more from you. Just because your tip came from someone who was reliable in the past shouldn't matter. Let them post their tips then. And in this case it was completely made up. None of it ever happened. So does that take away from your source's reliability? Will you believe them next time? I know you could have posted that same post under anonymous. Maybe you should have, because I agree with others who feel like you being the one to open the thread up makes everything feel cheap. Especially since it was all completely made up. I can not say that I am washing my hands of all of it - because in the end I find it all humorous. This sight is extremely entertaining if nothing else.

OK, guys, I get it. I'm letting this stand because it's more embarrassing to me than KEZI. One of the biggest mistakes I've made in the last three years, with the possible exception of letting the Nutlings watch the Disney Channel.

Once again, I reiterate that I don't carry a grudge against anyone in Eugene. Seriously. I don't even get entertainment value out of people jumping up and down about the Chambers or KEZI or anyone else. I don't *know* anyone down there, apart from a few folks at KLCC who I haven't talked to in decades. That kind of thing is only fun, if you like that kind of thing which generally I don't, when you know the players well.

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Lynn Siprelle * Fairy Blogmother

I have been following this thread for a while now ( along with other threads as well ) This one interested me for one fact: I have worked in many markets in news and engineering and have seen deals go down for the better sake of the public interest which is delivering information to the viewers. Now rather you think KEZI, KVAL, KMTR, etc. puts out a good product or not is up to your personal opinion. The fact that the sports guys or whomever involved aired more footage than the networks allowed is a mistake that happens in virtually every market. Its no secret that upper management of ANY station or controlling entity can some times seem like they have their head in the sand or somewhere else less appealing. None the less if big bad ol' tape delaying NBC looked at the big picture and decided to slap KEZI on the wrist and let bygones be bygones then that's a win win for us the viewer. we get to pick what ever channel we want for our information and entertainment .. simple fact . you dont like it dont watch it .. someone will bend and correct ... You didn't make a mistake Fairy Blogmother... we just have individuals who have a lot of anger for one reason or another ... just remember peeps .. when you get throug getting angry .. please look at the big picture and the small details you will find out the rest of the story if you are patient ...