Observed Signal · Sep 15, 2026 · Partnership · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Cavaliers to Air 15 Free Games on Local TV
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced that 15 regular-season games for the 2026-27 season will be available free over-the-air, simulcast on Gray Media stations and streamed on DAZN. This move extends the NBA's broader trend of moving local games to broadcast television following the decline of regional sports networks. Fans in the Cleveland market can watch on WOIO, WUAB, and Rock Entertainment Sports Network, with other markets also carrying the games. The free games will have pregame and postgame coverage. The team's full local streaming package is available via DAZN subscriptions, with plans ranging from $19.99 monthly to $139.99 for a season pass. The Cavaliers join other teams like the Hornets, Magic, and Suns in offering free over-the-air viewing options.
NBA team expands free over-the-air distribution, reflecting a significant shift in sports media distribution that impacts advertising reach and viewer access.
Track Gray Media Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your Polaris7 workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Cleveland Cavaliers will air 15 regular-season games free over-the-air on Gray Media stations.
- Games will also be streamed free on the DAZN app, requiring a free DAZN account.
- DAZN is the Cavaliers' streaming home, with season passes from $119.99 to $139.99.
- Other markets include Cincinnati, Lima, and Parkersburg on Gray stations and third-party broadcasters.
- The move follows a trend of NBA teams moving away from regional sports networks to free broadcast TV.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mapped“Gray Media stations will carry the games; Matt Moran, Senior Operating Officer for Gray Media, quoted.”
“Games will be simulcast on the DAZN app; DAZN is becoming the Cavaliers' streaming home.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Charlotte Hornets Move Local Games to Free TV
The Charlotte Hornets announced that Cox Media Group’s WSOC Channel 9 and TV64 will become the team’s local broadcast home for the 2026–27 NBA season, airing every regular-season game not nationally televised free over the air in the Charlotte area. The agreement expands a prior experiment that put a small number of Hornets games on free TV in 2025 and a 12-game simulcast in 2025–26. The team says a direct-to-consumer streaming solution will be announced later as the NBA explores a centralized local streaming hub for local rights. The move is part of a broader league trend away from the traditional RSN model toward free broadcast and alternative streaming arrangements.
DIRECTV Partners with DAZN for NBA Local Coverage
DIRECTV and DAZN have signed a multiyear distribution agreement to bring local coverage of five NBA teams (Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and San Antonio Spurs) to DIRECTV customers. The telecasts will be available on streaming, satellite, and U-Verse in each team's respective market, including pregame, postgame, and in-game coverage. Customers with eligible packages (Choice or higher, U200 or higher) and DIRECTV for Business customers will gain access. Soon, DIRECTV credentials will also work on DAZN at no extra cost. This partnership expands DIRECTV's NBA coverage to 28 teams, strengthening its sports offerings and DAZN's distribution reach.
DAZN Secures Memphis Grizzlies Streaming Rights with Free Games
DAZN has entered a multi-year partnership with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the team's exclusive local broadcaster across a seven-state region. The deal covers the 2026-27 season, including all preseason games and 78 of 80 regular-season games, with 15 games available free to account holders. DAZN will produce games in 1080i and offer various subscription plans, including multiview features. The agreement allows fans to watch without cable, and selected games will be simulcast over-the-air. DAZN will also stream Grind City Media programming. This move strengthens DAZN's position in local sports streaming, expanding its NBA portfolio.
Receive all future signals for Gray Media & competitors in your briefing
Never miss material M&A deals, leadership changes, account wins, or product rollouts. Polaris7 monitors 20,000+ primary sources 24/7, delivering verified telemetry directly into your executive briefing.