No Cable Needed: Hornets Land Major Free TV Deal with Cox
Charlotte Hornets Make Games Free on Local TV: What This Means for Fans
The Big News in Simple Terms
The Charlotte Hornets just made a smart move for fans: they signed a one-year deal to put all their non-nationally televised games on free, over-the-air (OTA) television. That means no cable subscription needed—just an antenna or a streaming service that carries local channels.
Important Point
This deal is fan-first. The team chose accessibility over maximum money so more people in the Carolinas can watch games without paying extra.
Who’s Involved?
- Charlotte Hornets – The NBA team
- Cox Media Group – Owns local TV stations WSOC Channel 9 and TV64
- DAZN (likely) – A sports streaming service that will handle the direct-to-consumer (DTC) option
- Playfly – Will sell national ads during games
- NBA League Office – Building a centralized broadcast hub for 2027-28
How the Deal Works
1. Free TV Broadcasts (The Cox Part)
- All non-national games air on WSOC Channel 9 or TV64
- If WSOC has an ABC show (like Grey’s Anatomy or NBA on ABC), the game moves to TV64
- Both channels are on:
Spectrum
AT&T U-verse
DirecTV / DirecTV Stream
DISH Network
YouTube TV
Hulu + Live TV (WSOC only)
FuboTV (WSOC only)
Free with an antenna!
2. Streaming Option (The DAZN Part)
- DAZN will likely stream games via app/subscription
- Expected to pay Hornets $1–2 million/year minimum
- Gives fans a second way to watch if they prefer streaming
3. Ad Sales Split
- Local ads → Sold together by Hornets + Cox
- National ads → Sold by Playfly
Why Only One Year?
The deal is intentionally short because:
- The NBA is building a league-wide broadcast hub launching in 2027-28
- Hornets want to join that system when ready
- One year = flexibility without long-term lock-in
Important Point
The Hornets will use the NBA’s new in-house production team for TV-quality broadcasts with all the “bells and whistles.”
Money Talk: How Does This Compare?
| Deal | Estimated Annual Value |
|---|---|
| Old deal (Main Street Sports Group) | ~$16.5 million |
| New Cox OTA deal | ~$7–8 million (rights fee) |
| New DAZN streaming deal | ~$1–2 million (minimum guarantee) |
| Total new package | ~$8–10 million |
Important Point
While less than before, the team chose this model to maximize viewership, not just cash. More fans watching = better for sponsors, merch, tickets, and future deals.
What You’ll See on TV
Starting as soon as Thursday:
- 30-minute schedule release show on WSOC
- During season:
- Pregame shows
- Postgame shows
- Extra Hornets programming
All produced with NBA-level quality via the league’s new TV group.
The Bigger Picture: A League-Wide Trend
The Hornets are the 5th former Main Street Sports Group team to go free OTA:
- Miami Heat – Warren Buffett’s station
- Detroit Pistons – Scripps Sports
- Milwaukee Bucks – My24 (one-year)
- Atlanta Hawks – Gray Media (statewide reach)
- Charlotte Hornets – Cox Media Group
Meanwhile, Minnesota Timberwolves went streaming-only with DAZN, and Cavaliers, Pacers, Grizzlies, Spurs are expected to follow.
Important Point
The old regional sports network (RSN) model is collapsing. Teams are choosing free TV + streaming over expensive cable bundles.
Summary
- Hornets games are FREE on TV (WSOC 9 / TV64) for 2024-25
- No cable needed—antenna or live TV streaming works
- DAZN likely handles streaming for those who prefer apps
- One-year deal keeps options open for NBA’s 2027 hub
- Team prioritized fan access over max revenue
- Part of a growing trend: 5 teams now free OTA, more coming
FAQ
Do I need cable to watch Hornets games next season?
No! Games air on WSOC Channel 9 and TV64—both free with an antenna. They’re also on YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Spectrum, DISH, and more.
What if a game conflicts with ABC programming?
It moves to TV64 (Cox’s second channel), so you still get the game free.
Will there be a streaming-only option?
Yes. DAZN is expected to offer a paid streaming package for fans who want to watch via app on phone, tablet, or smart TV.
Why did the Hornets take less money?
They chose reach over revenue. More viewers = bigger fanbase, better sponsor value, and long-term growth. Plus, the one-year deal lets them join the NBA’s future centralized system.
Is this permanent?
No. It’s a one-year bridge deal. In 2027-28, the NBA plans a league-run broadcast hub—this keeps the Hornets flexible until then.
Go Hornets! Now you can watch every game without breaking the bank.