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Stan, loved the show

The staple for Pittsburgh sports fans to get an opinion is going away.

Stan Savran's "Sportsbeat with Savran" will broadcast its last show on Monday on FSN Pittsburgh.

"Sportsbeat" has been on in some form since 1991, dating back to its days on KBL.

The decision reeks of economics, with Liberty Media being known as one just to broadcast games and little else. By all accounts, Savran's show was still drawing ratings.

But let's go back to what Pittsburgh sports fans will miss.

Savran's show leaves a void at a time where unrest over the Pirates is quite possibly at an all-time high, and the Penguins and Steelers are coming off of championship seasons. Steelers training camp is just weeks away, so you know there will be plenty of questions out there about who will be the backup linebacker.

Fans love their sports, and they loved this show.

It became really popular with Guy Junker as co-host. The catch phrase from callers was, "Love the show."

Now, there is no more.

Living a couple hours out of Pittsburgh, it was easy to get a pulse on the sports fans by tuning in Fox Sports Pittsburgh and watching the show. The "Tunchistrator" with Tunch Ilkin was one of my recent favorite segments.

It remains to be seen what will replace Stan's show. Hopefully it won't be soccer, but I doubt whatever is scheduled will attract ratings like Savran did.

Then again, I don't think Liberty Media cares what fans want or watched. They just want to watch dollars flow into their pockets.

If you didn't see it already, Bob Smizik on his blog posted a number to reach Liberty. It wouldn't hurt to vent.
To register complaints: 720-875-5400. Liberty Media's web site is http://www.libertymedia.com/contact-us.aspx.

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