Free TV Alert: Hornets Sign Exclusive OTA Deal with Cox
Hornets Make Games Free on Local TV: What Fans Need to Know
The Big News in Simple Terms
The Charlotte Hornets just announced a new one-year deal to put all their locally broadcast games on free, over-the-air television. This means fans across the Carolinas can watch games without paying for cable or a streaming subscription—just an antenna!
Important Point: This is part of a growing trend where NBA teams are leaving expensive regional sports networks to make games more accessible to fans.
Why This Deal Matters
The Old Way Was Expensive and Complicated
- Last season, the Hornets were on Main Street Sports Group (formerly Bally Sports)
- That deal was worth about $16.5 million per year
- But Main Street Sports Group started missing payments in January
- Many fans couldn’t watch because the channel wasn’t on their cable package
The New Way Is Fan-Friendly
- Free TV: Games on WSOC Channel 9 or TV64 (just need an antenna!)
- Wider Reach: Cox Media Group covers the Carolinas extremely well
- Streaming Too: DAZN will likely handle online streaming for $1–2 million/year
- Total Value: Combined TV + streaming deals worth roughly $8–10 million/year
Key Insight: While the total money is less than before, the Hornets chose accessibility over maximum cash—more fans watching = better for the franchise long-term.
Where & When to Watch
TV Channels (Free Over-the-Air)
| Channel | Availability |
|---|---|
| WSOC Channel 9 (ABC affiliate) | Primary home for games |
| TV64 | Backup when Channel 9 has ABC programming conflicts |
Also Available On These Cable/Streaming Services
- Spectrum
- AT&T U-verse
- DirecTV & DirecTV Stream
- DISH Network
- YouTube TV
- Hulu + Live TV (WSOC only)
- FuboTV (WSOC only)
Bonus Programming Coming Soon
- Thursday: 30-minute Hornets Schedule Release Show on WSOC
- During Season: Pregame & postgame shows on WSOC
- Extra Content: Ancillary programming throughout the year
How the Money Works (Simple Breakdown)
Two Separate Deals = One Complete Package
| Partner | Role | Estimated Annual Value |
|---|---|---|
| Cox Media Group | Free linear TV (OTA) | $7–8 million (rights fee) |
| DAZN (expected) | Direct-to-consumer streaming | $1–2 million (minimum guarantee) |
Ad Sales Split
- Local ads: Sold jointly by Hornets + Cox
- National ads: Sold by Playfly Sports
Why Only One Year? The Smart Strategy
The Hornets intentionally signed a one-year deal for a specific reason:
The NBA’s Big Plan for 2027-28
- League-wide centralized broadcast hub launching in 2027-28 season
- NBA’s in-house TV group will handle production ("all the bells and whistles")
- This one-year deal bridges the gap until the new system starts
Strategic Move: Stay flexible now → join the league’s modern system later.
The Big Picture: NBA Teams Are Changing How We Watch
Teams Going Free Over-the-Air (OTA)
| Team | Partner | Announced |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Heat | Warren Buffett’s station | June 2026 |
| Detroit Pistons | Scripps Sports | May 2026 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Milwaukee’s MY24 | July 2026 |
| Atlanta Hawks | Gray Media | July 2026 |
| Charlotte Hornets | Cox Media Group | Now! |
Teams Going Streaming-Only
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Exclusive DAZN deal
- Expected to follow: Cavaliers, Pacers, Grizzlies, Spurs
Trend Alert: The NBA is splitting into two models—free local TV vs. paid streaming. The Hornets chose the "free TV + streaming combo" approach.
What This Means for You (Step-by-Step)
If You Have an Antenna
- Scan for channels on your TV
- Find WSOC Channel 9 (primary) or TV64 (backup)
- Watch every Hornets game for FREE — no cable bill needed!
If You Prefer Streaming
- Wait for DAZN announcement (coming weeks)
- Subscribe to DAZN (likely low monthly cost)
- Stream games live on phone, tablet, smart TV, computer
If You Have Cable/YouTube TV/Hulu Live
- Check your channel guide for WSOC Channel 9 or TV64
- Record games with your DVR
- Enjoy pregame/postgame shows included
Summary
The Charlotte Hornets just made a smart, fan-first move:
- Free local TV for all games (antenna only!)
- Streaming option coming via DAZN
- Wider reach across the Carolinas
- One-year bridge to NBA’s future centralized system
- Part of league-wide trend toward accessibility
Bottom line: More Hornets fans will watch games next season than in years past—and that’s a win for everyone.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Do I need cable to watch Hornets games now?
Nope! Just a digital antenna to pick up WSOC Channel 9 or TV64 for free over-the-air.
What if Channel 9 has an ABC show during a game?
Games move to TV64 (also free over-the-air) when there are scheduling conflicts.
When does the DAZN streaming deal start?
Expected to be announced in the coming weeks—likely before the season starts.
Will the games look professional quality?
Yes! The Hornets will use the NBA’s in-house production group for "all the bells and whistles."
Why did they leave the old regional sports network?
Main Street Sports Group defaulted on payments in January, plus many fans couldn’t access the channel. This new model reaches way more people.
Is this permanent?
The TV deal is one year only—designed to align with the NBA’s new centralized broadcast system launching in 2027-28.