Gray Media Secures Exclusive Georgia-Wide Broadcast Rights for Atlanta Hawks
Event summary
- Gray Media and the Atlanta Hawks announced a broadcast partnership for the 2026–27 NBA season, making WANF the official broadcast partner of the franchise.
- All non-nationally televised regular season games will be broadcast for free over-the-air on WANF and Peachtree Sports Network, with coverage extending to Gray Media stations in Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah.
- The partnership follows successful ratings performance during the 2025-26 season, where a 13-game package averaged more than 1.5 times the ratings of other local games.
- Gray Media will also broadcast three preseason games and select national games during the 2026-27 season.
The big picture
This partnership underscores the growing trend of regional media companies securing exclusive rights to local sports teams, aiming to boost viewership and advertising revenue. Gray Media's move aligns with broader industry shifts towards localized content as a key differentiator in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
What we're watching
- Market Penetration
- How Gray Media will leverage this partnership to expand its regional footprint and compete with national sports networks.
- Viewership Trends
- Whether the free over-the-air broadcast model can sustain high viewership ratings and attract advertisers.
- Strategic Alignment
- The pace at which Gray Media integrates additional sports content into its broadcasting strategy to drive long-term growth.