TEGNA and Indiana Fever Expand Broadcast Distribution of the Fever’s Exciting Upcoming Season in 11 Additional Markets

Rhea-AI Summary

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) and the Indiana Fever announced an expanded broadcast distribution partnership, adding 11 markets to air 17 Fever games for free in 2024. The games feature top players like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, with a 12-market footprint reaching 4.6 million homes. TEGNA collaborated with WNBA to include coverage in Iowa, highlighting a pivotal moment for women's sports. Games to be broadcast on various stations, offering a unique fan experience.

Positive

• Expanded partnership between TEGNA and Indiana Fever to broadcast 17 games in 11 additional markets.

• 12-market footprint created, reaching 4.6 million homes, providing more fans access to WNBA games.

• Presence of top players like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston generating excitement and engagement among viewers.

Negative

• None.

Games feature #1 overall pick Caitlin Clark, 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, and a talented roster of players

TYSONS, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) and the Indiana Fever today announced that 11 additional markets will join WTHR, TEGNA’s Indianapolis NBC affiliate, to create an unprecedented 12-market footprint to air 17 Indiana Fever games for free over the air in 2024. With this expanded footprint, 4.6 million homes will have the opportunity to watch #1 overall draft pick Caitlin Clark, 2023 #1 overall pick and WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, and the exciting Fever roster as they make a push to return to the playoffs.

(Graphic: Business Wire)

Notably, TEGNA worked with the WNBA to add coverage of these games in Iowa, with TEGNA’s WOI in Des Moines and WQAD in Davenport (Quad Cities) joining the roster of stations that will broadcast games. Games will also air on TEGNA’s WHAS in Louisville, as well as stations owned by Gray Television, Sinclair, Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Coastal Television Broadcasting Group, and Weigel Broadcasting Co. (full list of games and stations below).

“This is a pivotal moment for our Fever team and women’s basketball, more broadly, and this groundbreaking partnership with TEGNA will ensure more fans than ever will be able to watch this historic season,” said Rick Fuson, Pacers Sports and Entertainment chief executive officer.

“We could not be more excited to make these exciting WNBA games available to more fans, in more homes, across more markets, including Caitlin Clark’s home state of Iowa,” said Brad Ramsey, senior vice president, media operations, TEGNA. “We are grateful to the Pacers organization, the WNBA, and our broadcast partners for their trust, and for helping us create a first of its kind fan experience.”

Sandy Breland, chief operating officer of Gray Television, added, “This is a key moment for women’s sports and live sports on broadcast television. Continuing Gray’s commitment to live local sports, Gray is beyond excited to bring the Fever free, over the air to local viewers in Cincinnati, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Lexington and South Bend.”

The action-packed Fever regular season schedule tips off on Thursday, May 14 when the team travels to Connecticut to take on the Connecticut Sun before returning to Indianapolis for their home opener against the New York Liberty on May 16. Highlight matchups include two encounters with the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, scheduled for May 25 and September 11.

The 17 games available to viewers are:

Thurs., May 16 vs. Liberty, 7 p.m. ET
Wed., May 22 @ Storm, 10 p.m. ET
Sat., May 25 @ Aces, 9 p.m. ET
Thurs., May 30 vs. Storm, 7 p.m. ET
*Sat., June 1 vs. Sky, 1 p.m. ET (subject to change)
Sun., June 2 @ Liberty, 7 p.m. ET
Mon., June 10 @ Sun, 7 p.m. ET
Thurs., June 13 vs. Dream, 7 p.m. ET
Sun., June 23 @ Sky, 6 p.m. ET
Thurs., June 27 @ Storm, 10 p.m. ET
Wed., July 10 vs. Mystics, 12 p.m. ET
Mon., August 26 @ Dream, 7:30 p.m. ET
Wed., September 4 vs. Sparks, 7 p.m. ET
Sun., September 8 vs. Dream, 4 p.m. ET
Wed., September 11 vs. Aces, 7 p.m. ET
Sun., September 15 vs. Wings, 3 p.m. ET
Thurs., September 19 @ Mystics, 7 p.m. ET

Stations airing the games (subject to change) include:

Indianapolis, Ind.: WTHR 13.1, 13.3 & WALV 46.1 (TEGNA)
Champaign-Springfield, Ill.: WCIX 49.1 & WCIA 3.1 (Nexstar)
Cincinnati, Ohio: WXIX 19.3 (Gray Television)
Davenport, Iowa: WQAD 8.1, 8.3 (TEGNA)
Dayton, Ohio: WKEF 22.3 (Sinclair)
Des Moines, Iowa: WOI 5.1 & KCWI 23.1 (TEGNA)
Evansville, Ind.: WFIE 14.2 (Gray Television)
Fort Wayne, Ind.: WPTA 21.3 (Gray Television)
Lafayette, Ind.: WPBY 35.1, 35.2 (Coastal Broadcast)
Lexington, Ky.: WKYT 27.2 (Gray Television)
Louisville, Ky.: WHAS 11.1, 11.2 (TEGNA)
South Bend, Ind.: WCWW 25.1 & WMYS 69.1 (Weigel); WNDU 16.2 (Gray Television)

All games will be available over the air via antenna. Fans can visit wthr.com/fever for information on how to purchase or set up an over the air antenna. A majority of the games will be available via cable and/or satellite. Check local listings for specifics.

About TEGNA

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks True Crime Network and Quest. TEGNA offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507554695/en/

For media inquiries, contact:

Anne Bentley

Vice President, Chief Communications Officer

703-873-6366

abentley@TEGNA.com

For investor inquiries, contact:

Julie Heskett

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

703-873-6747

investorrelations@TEGNA.com

Source: TEGNA Inc.

FAQ

How many additional markets will air Indiana Fever games in 2024?

11 additional markets will join to create a 12-market footprint.

What are the names of the top players featured in the games?

Top players include Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.

Which station will air the games in Indianapolis?

WTHR, TEGNA's Indianapolis NBC affiliate, will air the games.

When will the Fever's regular season schedule begin?

The regular season starts on Thursday, May 14.

Where can fans watch the games?

Games will be available over the air via antenna and majority will be available via cable and/or satellite.