Charlotte Hornets Expands Regional Broadcast Reach via Gray Media Partnership
Event summary
- Charlotte Hornets partners with Gray Media to broadcast games across six Carolinas markets starting October 2026.
- Games will be available free over-the-air and through local cable/satellite providers in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville-New Bern, Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson, Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, and Roanoke.
- Gray Media will televise games through local affiliates and the Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network.
- WSOC Channel 9 and TV64 will serve as the local broadcast home in the Charlotte region.
- DAZN will be the exclusive streaming partner for the 2026-27 NBA season.
The big picture
The partnership aligns with the trend of sports teams leveraging regional broadcast deals to strengthen local fan bases and drive revenue. Gray Media's extensive local television network provides the Hornets with a scalable platform to expand their reach, while the deal underscores the growing importance of over-the-air and streaming services in sports content distribution.
What we're watching
- Viewership Growth
- How the expanded broadcast reach will impact Hornets' viewership numbers and fan engagement across the Carolinas.
- Revenue Potential
- Whether the partnership will drive additional advertising and sponsorship revenue for both Gray Media and the Hornets.
- Competitive Dynamics
- The pace at which other NBA teams may follow similar regional broadcast strategies to enhance local market penetration.
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