Diamond Sports has announced that they will be broadcasting more than a dozen NBA teams‘ games during the 2024-25 season. However, the New Orleans Pelicans will not be one of the 13 teams staying with Diamond Sports this season. Instead, the Pelicans have decided to partner with Gray Television, specifically WVUE-TV Fox 8, in an effort to expand their reach in the New Orleans area and across the Gulf South region.
Last season, the Pelicans aired seven of their games on WVUE-TV Fox 8. This season, sources have indicated that between eight to 10 of the Pelicans‘ 82 regular-season games will once again be broadcast on Fox 8. The team’s long-term plan is to eventually air the majority of their games on a new channel called the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network. This channel will be available as an over-the-air signal, allowing viewers in major markets across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to access it for free. There have also been discussions about broadcasting high school sports on the channel.
In July, the Pelicans were informed that they were one of five NBA teams that Diamond Sports planned to drop. Despite Diamond Sports offering more guaranteed money for rights fees, the Pelicans opted to continue their partnership with Gray Television. Last season, Pelicans games broadcast on Diamond-owned Bally Sports averaged 12,807 TV households, while games aired on Fox 8 and other Gray partners drew significantly higher audiences, averaging 46,057 TV households.
The trend of teams making their games available on over-the-air signals is on the rise as cable subscribers continue to decline. Teams like the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns saw a significant increase in viewership after making their games accessible on over-the-air TV last season. The Jazz experienced a 39% jump in local viewership, while the Suns‘ local ratings increased by 69%, according to Sports Business Journal.
Overall, the decision by the New Orleans Pelicans to partner with Gray Television and create the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network reflects a strategic move to expand their reach and engage with a broader audience across the Gulf South region. By making their games available on over-the-air signals, the Pelicans are positioning themselves to connect with fans in a more accessible and inclusive way, ultimately enhancing their presence in the local sports broadcasting landscape.