Hornets to simulcast select games on free, over-the-air networks. When, how to watch
Access to television broadcasts has been a thorny issue for many fans of the Charlotte Hornets.
That’s changing for five games over the next two months, allowing viewers to catch a glimpse of Los Angeles Lakers’ star LeBron James and Charlotte’s own Steph Curry of Golden State.
Along with Cox Media Group’s WSOC-TV Channel 9, its sister station TV 64 and FanDuel Sports Southeast, the Hornets are partnering to simulcast five games. It’s the first time the franchise’s action will broadcast free over-the-air television in nearly two decades, when the team was still called the Bobcats, and joins a growing trend around the league as teams try to find ways to bring the action to more viewers.
The Hornets estimate 1.3 million homes in the Charlotte region will be able to tune in and the team plans to announce additional over-the-air broadcast stations and distribution for their five matchups throughout the Carolinas at a later date.
“We’re thrilled to partner with WSOC-TV and TV 64 to make our FanDuel Sports Southeast broadcasts available for free and over-the-air for the first time since the 2007-08 season,” Hornets president of business operations Shelly Cayette-Weston said in a statement. “We are dedicated to enhancing the fan experience, strengthening the connection with our passionate fanbase and expanding the reach of our broadcasts.
“This is a great opportunity to bring our games to a wider audience and increase the exposure of our games.”
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Those matchups include Hornets’ home outings against the Lakers on Jan. 27, the LA Clippers on Jan. 31, the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 5, and the Golden State Warriors on March 3 for Curry’s lone visit to Spectrum Center in 2024-25.
Charlotte’s date in Dallas with the Mavericks on Feb. 27, which caps off a brutal five-game road trip coming out of the All-Star break, is the fifth game on the current list.
The free broadcasts are available in conjunction with the NBA’s agreement with Main Street Sports Group, owner of FanDuel Sports Southeast. The regional sports company was previously known as Diamond Sports Group until completing its bankruptcy situation and restructuring to emerge from Chapter 11.
“This partnership brings together two iconic brands that have community at their core,” Cox Media Group Charlotte VP/GM Cedric Thomas said in a statement. “We’re proud to make these entertaining games accessible to everyone we reach in the Carolinas.”
CHARLOTTE HORNETS 2024-25 OTA BROADCASTS
▪ Jan. 27 — Los Angeles Lakers , 7 p.m., WSOC-TV
▪ Jan. 31 — LA Clippers, 7 p.m., TV 64
▪ Feb. 5 — Milwaukee Bucks , 7 p.m., TV 64
▪ Feb. 27 — Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m., TV 64
▪ March 3 — Golden State Warriors , 7 p.m. WSOC-TV
