Atlanta Hawks vs SPORT1

Atlanta Hawks to Stream Local Games Exclusively on Prime Video

The Atlanta Hawks announced a historic deal making Prime Video the exclusive streaming home for their locally distributed NBA games starting the 2026-27 season. The agreement covers 74 regular-season games, available at no extra cost to Amazon Prime members within the team's regional territory spanning parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Mississippi. This marks the first time an NBA team has chosen Prime Video for exclusive local game streaming. The Hawks will also continue their existing free over-the-air broadcast partnership with Gray Media on WANF and Peachtree Sports Network. This move reflects the growing trend of teams bypassing traditional regional sports networks, especially after the parent company of the former RSN, Main Street Sports Group, ceased operations. Prime Video is also expanding its national NBA coverage, while the NBA reportedly plans a local streaming hub for the 2027-28 season.

• Atlanta Hawks becomes first NBA team to stream local games exclusively on Prime Video for the 2026-27 season.
• The deal covers 74 regular-season games, available to Amazon Prime members in the team's regional territory at no extra cost.
• The Hawks will also continue free over-the-air broadcasts via Gray Media stations WANF and Peachtree Sports Network.

Michelob Ultra Launches Multi-Channel Knicks Championship Celebration Campaign

Michelob Ultra is launching a comprehensive multi-channel campaign across New York City's five boroughs to celebrate the New York Knicks' 2026 NBA championship. The campaign includes limited-edition bottle openers containing pieces of the NBA Finals court, distributed through select bartenders, with fan giveaways starting October 19 via the Superior Access platform. A new film, 'Beer of Champions,' created by Wieden + Kennedy, will debut on NBC during the Knicks' opening game on October 20. Limited-edition cans and aluminum bottles featuring the team logo and championship trophy are available. Out-of-home placements will appear around Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, and Times Square. The campaign builds on Michelob Ultra's role as the NBA's official global beer partner, complementing league-wide efforts including court ad placements for the Emirates NBA Cup.

• Michelob Ultra launches a multi-channel campaign celebrating the Knicks' 2026 NBA championship across New York's five boroughs.
• Limited-edition bottle openers containing pieces of the NBA Finals court are given to select bartenders.
• Fan giveaways for the bottle openers begin October 19 via Michelob Ultra's Superior Access platform.

NHL Centralizes Local Broadcasts; NBA Returns to Free TV

This article analyzes how professional sports leagues are restructuring their local media strategies in the wake of declining regional sports networks (RSNs). The NHL is centralizing production for teams like the Blue Jackets, Blues, Wild, and Hurricanes, following MLB's model, while allowing team-specific distribution flexibility. The NBA is temporarily returning to over-the-air television, with the Bucks and Hawks partnering with local broadcasters. The piece argues a hybrid model, balancing central production with local market flexibility, is the most effective approach in the post-cable era.

• NHL centralizes local broadcasts for 2026-27 season for four teams, including the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.
• Anaheim Ducks terminate agreement with Victory+ streaming partner after two seasons.
• MLB broadcasts games for 14 teams, including Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres since 2023.

Sport1 announces third season of 'Bitte lächeln'

Sport1 has announced a third season of its clip show 'Bitte lächeln', which airs in the pre-evening slot. The broadcaster will produce 24 new episodes starting October 26, airing three times per week at 7 PM. To support the new season, Sport1 purchased new mobile video material from the US, featuring everyday moments and mishaps. The show will include new segments and specials, including one focused on Mallorca and a ranking show for the funniest clips. The studio design has also been refreshed. 'Bitte lächeln' has been performing well in ratings, reaching up to 150,000 viewers. On Wednesday, it attracted 130,000 viewers, surpassing the evening 'Fantalk' Champions League show. The show is hosted by Christian Oberfuchshuber.

• Sport1 announced a third season of the clip show 'Bitte lächeln'.
• 24 new episodes will air from October 26, three times a week at 7 PM.
• Sport1 acquired new mobile video material from the US for the season.

Free-TV: TNA Wrestling kommt zu SPORT1

SPORT1 announces that TNA Wrestling will be broadcast in free-TV, starting October 13, 2026.

Sport1 Reports Higher Gross TV Ad Revenue in August

German sports broadcaster Sport1 saw a significant increase in gross TV advertising revenue in August 2026, according to Nielsen data. The channel reported gross ad revenue of €15.4 million, up 22.1% year-over-year, marking its largest percentage increase in a long time. This continues a positive trend for Sport1 after months of decline, attributed to its recent content transformation. The overall German TV advertising market, however, declined by 4.9% in August, with major sales houses like Ad Alliance, Seven.One Media, and El Cartel Brothers all reporting decreases. Despite the TV market's weakness, the total German advertising market grew slightly by 0.9%, driven by strong online (+14.7%) and cinema (+54.7%) growth.

• Sport1's gross TV ad revenue in August 2026 reached €15.4 million, up 22.1% year-over-year.
• The German TV advertising market declined by 4.9% in August 2026 compared to the previous year.
• Ad Alliance reported a 6.0% decrease in gross revenue in August, while Seven.One Media saw a smaller decline of 4.4%.