While we are discussing sports happenings today on the blog locally, let's take a look how the NFL has decided to handle the use of video shot by local stations - including ours, even as the "official home of the Cleveland Browns." Again, this is mandated by the NFL and not by the Browns themselves.
The NFL has issued a new set of rules that severely restricts media sites usage of video shot from NFL press conferences, interviews or practices. The rules stipulate a maximum of 45 seconds of video per day, no use of live footage, a 24-hour window for all content and that content must contain links back to NFL.com and official team sites. Additionally, the video footage cannot be sponsored, and no more than 45 seconds per day of team practice footage.
The good news, perhaps?
The NFL has set no limitations on the amount of talking head video a station uses, as long as that video does not also contain an interview or any press conference footage. As for online usage, the rules allow for up to 45 seconds per day of interviews or press conference footage of a single team, or no more than 90 seconds of multiple team footage. Again, no live footage is permitted, the video window is limited to 24 hours, and everything has to point back to NFL.com.
It seems like the NFL wants to continue restricting the media in order to take away a local stations right to freely cover events so that it may protect its own interests like the NFL Network and other NFL controlled entities. The NFL also recently attempted to ban local stations from shooting video from the sidelines as well.
Let us know your feelings about the rules: Email me at fmacek@wkyc.com
