The forlorn text from a producer read: "Lost the Patriots."

After 14 years of hosting Channel 5's weekly behind-the-scenes show on New England's NFL franchise, Lynch was crestfallen. But he became upset because no one from the organization told him the Patriots and Kraft Sports Productions had opted out of the final year of their three-year contract and were taking "Patriots All Access" to CBS-owned WBZ (Channel 4) and WSBK (Channel 38), effective next season.

"Dan Kraft called me later and was very, very nice to me," Lynch said. "He thanked me for all we did."

It was little consolation.

"I was very disappointed," Lynch said. "I really immersed myself into that show for 14 years. It became a year-round show. From the last week of July to January, it was a big, big part of my professional life. I hope the product reflected that effort."

Jackie Connally, WBZ's senior sports producer, said Channel 4 would continue to produce "Patriots Game Day" (Sunday 11:30 a.m.-noon) and "Patriots 5th Quarter" while Kraft Sports Productions would produce "Patriots All Access" (Channel 4, Friday 7-8 p.m.; Channel 38, Sunday 9-10 a.m.) in addition to "Patriots This Week" (Channel 38, Saturday 10-10:30 p.m.) and "Totally Patriots" (Channel 38, Sunday 10-10:30 a.m.).

"We're obviously thrilled to have 'Patriots All Access' and the three preseason games, and have it expand what we already have," said Connally, who said no decision had been reached on the show's host.

On Channel 5, Lynch became a fixture as host of "Patriots All Access." He developed an on-air rapport with former coaches Pete Carroll and Bill Parcells and current coach Bill Belichick, with whom Lynch seemed to cement a particular bond: They both have fathers who were coaches.

The cultivation of that relationship led to the development of "The Belestrator," in which Belichick used a telestrator to break down opponents.

"Belichick was great with the Belestrator," Lynch said. "He had a theme every week. An opponent could have a great punt return team and he'd show you why, or a great group of linebackers, and he'd break them down. It appealed to a wide range of football fans.

"Many times he'd mention to me, 'Do you think that's something the viewers wanted to hear?' He cared about it," Lynch said.

"I never got the feeling that it was drudgery for him. He looked forward to it."

As did Lynch.

"I was always conscious of the appearance of being too cozy," Lynch said. "I think over the years we handled it as well as we could've. In all honesty, I didn't feel like I was a homer or the voice of the team, or an extension of the team."

Channel 5 did enjoy exclusive access as the team's official station during three of the Patriots' four most recent trips to the Super Bowl, but Channel 4 served as the team's official station in 2007 during Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz. Perhaps, it was a harbinger. Another may have been when CBS Scene restaurant opened at Patriot Place.

Last year, Channel 4 carried 10 Patriots regular-season games in addition to "Patriots Game Day" and "Patriots 5th Quarter," which behooved the team to move its exhibition games and "Patriots All Access" show to the local CBS station.

"The fact we don't have 'Monday Night Football' anymore really hurt us, but we could've trumped all those things with our ratings and our visibility," Lynch said. "[Channel 5] was a nice home [for 'Patriots All Access'] and we just wished they didn't have to move out.

"Personally, I'm disappointed. I've got nothing bad to say about the Patriots. I've taken a long, deep breath for almost a month now, but I'm still disappointed. I wish we could have had them that last year [of the contract], but I wish them well."