WKBN airing Steelers, not Browns

YOUNGSTOWN -- Browns fans without access to Cleveland's CBS affiliate WOIO Channel 19 are likely to be frustrated this afternoon.
That's because Youngstown CBS affiliate, WKBN Channel 27, will televise the Pittsburgh Steelers/Baltimore Ravens game today at 1 instead of the Miami Dolphins/Cleveland Browns game.
WKBN officials say the decision to show the Steelers game has nothing to do with the records of the teams. Pittsburgh (7-2) is tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for the lead in the AFC North Division. The Browns and Dolphins both have 3-6 records -- neither is in contention for a postseason berth.
In a release, WKBN cites an NFL rule that requires the station in a secondary market to favor the road team.
"Because we are situated midway between the cities, both the Browns and the Steelers 'claim' Youngstown as a secondary," the release says. "When one team is away, and the other is home, and they are playing at the same time, the NFL requires us to show the away team.
"This is designed to protect the game attendance of the home team. We're sorry to disappoint you Browns fans but happy we can show the Steelers."
The Dolphins/Browns game is a sellout, but plenty of tickets are expected to be available for purchase outside Cleveland Browns Stadium.