THE BATTLE FOR LEN BERMAN
CH. 2 is heavily courting veteran sportscaster Len Berman – but negotiations to keep Berman at Ch. 4 are “progressing well,” sources say.
Berman’s contract with Ch. 4 expires in April, and there’s been chatter that he’s considering moving to Ch. 2 if Warner Wolf’s contract there isn’t renewed early next year when it expires.
“Len is a valued member of our team,” a Ch. 4 spokeswoman said. “And we hope he remains a part of the Ch. 4 family for years to come.”
Ch. 4 recently inked executive sports producer Lauren Spencer, who works closely with Berman, to a long-term deal – which could play into keeping Berman from bolting.
Sources told The Post Oct. 31 that Berman could be headed to third-place Ch. 2.
There’s a degree of familiarity for Berman at Ch. 2. Dennis Swanson – who runs Viacom’s station group, including Ch. 2 – signed Berman to a seven-year deal in 1996 when Swanson was running Ch. 4.
And ex-Ch. 4 staffers, including Lew Leone and news director Dianne Doctor, have since joined Swanson at Ch. 2.
“Len Berman is under contract to WNBC,” Berman’s agent, Sandy Montag, told The Post.
Meanwhile, a Ch. 7 spokeswoman said plans are in the works to give veteran anchor Roz Abrams an on-air send-off.
Abrams is leaving Ch. 7 early next month after working at the ABC-owned station since 1986.
There’s said to be interest in Abrams – one of the most recognizable faces on local TV – from Chs. 2, 4 and 5. Abrams also has a history with CNN where she worked before joining Ch. 7.
Abrams is contractually prohibited from talking about her future until her contract expires late next month.

