Gray Media Announces Broadcast Partnership With the New Orleans Pelicans
Gray Media has announced a groundbreaking media rights deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, launching the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. This partnership will broadcast every non-national Pelicans NBA game free over-the-air to 4.1 million households across multiple states, increasing the team's reach by 16 times compared to their previous distribution arrangement.
The network will be anchored by Gray's New Orleans television station WVUE and will be available through Gray's stations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This move aims to make Pelicans games more accessible to fans, with games available free over-the-air or through basic cable, satellite, and streaming providers.
WVUE will air at least eight regular season games and all available post-season games, with the remaining games airing on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. The first game is scheduled for October 23rd at 7 p.m. against the Chicago Bulls.
Gray Media ha annunciato un accordo innovativo sui diritti media con i New Orleans Pelicans, lanciando il Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. Questa partnership trasmetterà tutte le partite NBA dei Pelicans non di rilevanza nazionale gratuitamente via etere a 4,1 milioni di famiglie in diversi stati, aumentando la visibilità della squadra di 16 volte rispetto al precedente accordo di distribuzione.
La rete sarà ancorata alla stazione televisiva di Gray a New Orleans, WVUE, e sarà disponibile tramite le stazioni di Gray in Louisiana, Mississippi e Alabama. Questa mossa mira a rendere le partite dei Pelicans più accessibili ai tifosi, con le partite disponibili gratuitamente via etere o tramite cavo base, satellite e fornitori di streaming.
WVUE trasmetterà almeno otto partite di stagione regolare e tutte le partite di post-stagione disponibili, con le partite rimanenti trasmesse sul Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. La prima partita è programmata per 23 ottobre alle 19:00 contro i Chicago Bulls.
Gray Media ha anunciado un acuerdo innovador de derechos de medios con los New Orleans Pelicans, lanzando la Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. Esta asociación transmitirá todos los partidos de la NBA de los Pelicans que no sean nacionales de forma gratuita por aire a 4,1 millones de hogares en múltiples estados, aumentando el alcance del equipo por 16 veces en comparación con su acuerdo de distribución anterior.
La red estará anclada en la estación de televisión WVUE de Gray en Nueva Orleans y estará disponible a través de las estaciones de Gray en Louisiana, Mississippi y Alabama. Este movimiento tiene como objetivo hacer que los partidos de los Pelicans sean más accesibles para los aficionados, con partidos disponibles gratuitamente por aire o a través de cable básico, satélite y proveedores de streaming.
WVUE transmitirá al menos ocho partidos de la temporada regular y todos los partidos de postemporada disponibles, con los partidos restantes transmitidos en la Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. El primer partido está programado para el 23 de octubre a las 7 p.m. contra los Chicago Bulls.
그레이 미디어는 뉴올리언스 펠리컨스와 혁신적인 미디어 권리 계약을 발표하며 걸프 코스트 스포츠 & 엔터테인먼트 네트워크를 출범합니다. 이번 파트너십은 여러 주에서 410만 가구에 무료로 모든 비국가 펠리컨스 NBA 경기를 방송하여 팀의 도달 범위를 이전 배급 계약에 비해 16배 증가시킵니다.
네트워크는 그레이의 뉴올리언스 텔레비전 방송국 WVUE를 중심으로 운영되며 루이지애나, 미시시피, 앨라배마의 그레이 방송국을 통해 제공될 것입니다. 이 조치는 펠리컨스 경기를 팬들이 더 쉽게 접근할 수 있도록 하려는 목적으로, 경기는 무료로 공중파에서 방송되거나 기본 케이블, 위성 및 스트리밍 제공업체를 통해 가능합니다.
WVUE는 정규 시즌 경기 8경기 이상과 모든 가능한 포스트 시즌 경기를 방송하며, 나머지 경기는 걸프 코스트 스포츠 & 엔터테인먼트 네트워크에서 방송됩니다. 첫 경기는 10월 23일 오후 7시에 시카고 불스와의 경기가 예정되어 있습니다.
Gray Media a annoncé un accord révolutionnaire sur les droits médiatiques avec les New Orleans Pelicans, lançant le Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. Ce partenariat diffusera tous les matchs de la NBA des Pelicans qui ne sont pas nationaux gratuitement via la télévision hertzienne dans 4,1 millions de foyers dans plusieurs états, multipliant par 16 fois la portée de l'équipe par rapport à son précédent contrat de distribution.
Le réseau sera ancré par la station de télévision WVUE de Gray à La Nouvelle-Orléans et sera disponible via les stations de Gray en Louisiane, Mississippi et Alabama. Ce mouvement vise à rendre les matchs des Pelicans plus accessibles aux fans, avec des matchs disponibles gratuitement en hertzien ou via le câble de base, les satellites et les fournisseurs de streaming.
WVUE diffusera au moins huit matchs de saison régulière et tous les matchs de playoffs disponibles, les autres matchs étant diffusés sur le Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. Le premier match est prévu pour le 23 octobre à 19h contre les Chicago Bulls.
Gray Media hat einen bahnbrechenden Medienrechtsvertrag mit den New Orleans Pelicans angekündigt und das Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network ins Leben gerufen. Diese Partnerschaft wird alle nicht-nationalen NBA-Spiele der Pelicans kostenlos über Antenne an 4,1 Millionen Haushalte in mehreren Bundesstaaten übertragen und den Ansatz des Teams um 16-fach im Vergleich zu ihrem vorherigen Vertriebsarrangement erweitern.
Das Netzwerk wird von Grays Fernsehsender WVUE in New Orleans geankert und wird über Grays Sender in Louisiana, Mississippi und Alabama verfügbar sein. Diese Maßnahme zielt darauf ab, die Spiele der Pelicans für die Fans zugänglicher zu machen, wobei die Spiele kostenlos über Antenne oder über Basis-Kabel, Satellit und Streaming-Anbieter verfügbar sind.
WVUE wird mindestens acht reguläre Saisonspiele und alle verfügbaren Playoff-Spiele übertragen, während die verbleibenden Spiele im Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network ausgestrahlt werden. Das erste Spiel ist für 23. Oktober um 19:00 Uhr gegen die Chicago Bulls angesetzt.
- Increased reach to 4.1 million households, 16 times more than previous distribution
- Free over-the-air broadcast of Pelicans games, improving accessibility for fans
- Expansion of coverage across multiple states (Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama)
- Potential for higher viewership and increased fan engagement
- Broadcast of all non-national Pelicans NBA games
- None.
This partnership marks a significant shift in sports broadcasting strategy, moving away from traditional pay-TV models to a free, over-the-air approach. The deal's potential to increase viewership by 16 times is remarkable, potentially boosting the Pelicans' fan base and market value. However, it's important to consider the long-term financial implications of this move.
While increased accessibility may drive fan engagement and merchandise sales, the transition from a subscription model could impact revenue streams. The success of this strategy will likely depend on advertising revenue and the network's ability to monetize its expanded reach. This deal could set a precedent for other small-market teams looking to increase their visibility and fan base.
This deal represents a bold move in the evolving landscape of sports media rights. By prioritizing accessibility over traditional subscription models, the Pelicans are betting on long-term fan growth and engagement. The 16-fold increase in potential viewership is a game-changer, especially for a small-market team.
However, the financial trade-offs are significant. The team is likely forgoing substantial guaranteed revenue from a traditional RSN deal. The success of this model will hinge on effectively monetizing the increased viewership through advertising, sponsorships and indirect revenue streams like merchandise and ticket sales. This innovative approach could reshape how small-market teams approach media rights, potentially disrupting the entire sports broadcasting ecosystem.
This partnership represents a strategic pivot towards market expansion for the Pelicans. By dramatically increasing their potential audience from
The move to free, over-the-air broadcasting aligns with changing consumer preferences, potentially attracting cord-cutters and younger demographics. However, the success of this strategy will depend on factors like:
- Quality of content and production
- Effective cross-platform integration
- Strategic local partnerships
- Monetization of increased viewership
If executed well, this could serve as a model for other small-market teams looking to expand their reach and relevance in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
GROUNDBREAKING RIGHTS DEAL WILL DISTRIBUTE PELICANS GAMES FREE OVER-THE-AIR TO OVER 4 MILLION HOMES ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Gray Media, in partnership with the New Orleans Pelicans, announces a transformative media rights deal to bring every non-national Pelicans NBA game to 4.1 million households through a new soon-to-be launched multi-state distribution venture called Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network anchored by Gray’s New Orleans television station WVUE (FOX 8 Local First).
The new network will broadcast free, over-the-air and be made available on a variety of pay-TV platforms through Gray’s television stations in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Alexandria, Louisiana; Gray’s television stations in Biloxi, Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Meridian, Mississippi; and Gray’s Mobile, Alabama television station.
By moving the Pelicans games to Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, the team will be available to increase its reach by 16 times over the team’s reach through its previous distribution arrangement with a non-broadcast regional sports network.
“Gray Media is thrilled to be able to leverage our resources to connect our loyal viewers with the growing number of Pelicans fans across the Gulf South,” said Sandy Breland, Chief Operating Officer, Gray Media. “The Pelicans are putting their fans first as now all fans will have the ability to watch the games free over-the-air or through any basic cable, satellite service, or streaming provider that carries the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.”
“This partnership with Gray Media represents our commitment to our fans, community, and partners across Louisiana and the Gulf South,” said Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson. “Our focus has been to make Pelicans games accessible to as many fans as possible, and this deal means that Pelicans games will now be available to millions of more fans with this free, over-the-air broadcast product.”
“Fans in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf Coast are ready for Pelicans basketball to be available to them subscription free,” said Mikel Schaefer, Vice President and General Manager, WVUE-TV. “We saw how much fans wanted this last season when the ten Pelicans games we broadcast had the highest ratings ever for the team.”
“Providing the best overall fan experience and accessibility to the team remains our number one priority,” said Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha. “This new media deal delivers Pelicans coverage to a much larger audience throughout Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast. We are thrilled to partner with Gray Media to bring premier access and unique team content to our fans.”
In New Orleans, WVUE will air at least eight Pelicans regular season games and all available post-season games, with the remaining regular season games airing on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. The first New Orleans Pelicans game will air live on WVUE and simulcast on GCSEN Wednesday October 23rd at 7 p.m. when the Pelicans take on the Chicago Bulls. The map below denotes the geographic reach of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.
About Gray Media:
Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 43 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray’s additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films. For more information, please visit www.graymedia.com.
About the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network:
The Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network aims to be the Gulf Coast’s premier regional broadcast network featuring the area’s best sporting events past and present. The network combines the region’s rich sports history with today’s premier sporting events.
The network is based out of WVUE-TV FOX 8 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Living up to the station’s brand “Local First,” the area’s most watched news, FOX 8 News, delivers more original content, live breaking stories, and in-depth coverage on issues that matter most to viewers. All on the platform of your choice: on-air, online, social media and streaming TV devices.
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Gray Contact:
Sandy Breland, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, 404-266-8333
FAQ
What is the new broadcast partnership announced by Gray Media for the New Orleans Pelicans (GTN)?
How many households will the new Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network reach for Pelicans games (GTN)?
When will the first New Orleans Pelicans game air on WVUE and the new network (GTN)?
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