Full Breakdown
Charlotte Hornets Shift All Non-National Games to Free Over-The-Air Television in One-Year Deal
8/13/2026, 11:15:05 AM
Core Deal Overview
On August 12, 2026, the Charlotte Hornets and Cox Media Group announced a one-year agreement that makes WSOC Channel 9 and its sister station TV64 the exclusive local homes for every Hornets regular-season game that is not nationally televised. The partnership covers live broadcasts, pre-game and post-game shows, interviews and additional Hornets-specific programming. Games will be carried over the air throughout the Charlotte region and are also available on major streaming bundles such as Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV.
Background & Context
The Hornets previously relied on the regional sports network (RSN) model, most recently paying an approximate $16.5 million rights fee before Main Street Sports Group defaulted on payments in January 2025. After that collapse, the team experimented with limited free-TV simulcasts—five games in 2007-08, then a 12-game package in the 2025-26 season—before expanding to a full OTA schedule for 2026-27. The move aligns with a league-wide shift away from RSNs, as several franchises (e.g., Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves) have pursued free-TV or streaming-only arrangements.
Financial Terms
Sources indicate the OTA component carries an annual rights fee in the $7 million-to-$8 million range. A separate direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming agreement is expected to bring a minimum annual guarantee of $1 million-to-$2 million, with industry reports suggesting global sports platform DAZN is the likely streaming partner. The combined package is described as “fan-friendly” and is not projected to represent a large drop-off from the prior RSN fee.
Official Statements & Responses
Revenue Officer Mike Behan explained the rationale:
> “As an organization, again, we’re very fortunate that our ownership allows us the latitude to think this way,” — Revenue Officer Mike Behan
Impact on Fans and League Trends
The OTA deal eliminates the need for a regional sports network subscription for local viewers, allowing antenna owners to watch every non-national game for free. The Hornets reported a No. 1 ranking in year-over-year attendance growth last season, a metric the organization cites as evidence of strong fan engagement.
The arrangement also positions Charlotte among the fifth former Main Street Sports Group team to adopt an OTA model, joining the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. The NBA is planning a centralized local-streaming hub for the 2027-28 season, and the Hornets’ split OTA/DTC structure is viewed as a potential template for other franchises navigating the RSN decline.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While multiple sources indicate DAZN will likely handle the streaming component, the Hornets have not formally announced a streaming partner. The exact schedule of which games will air on WSOC versus TV64 remains undisclosed, and details on how fans outside the immediate Charlotte market will access the broadcasts have been postponed for a later announcement.
What’s Next
The agreement is set for a single season, giving the Hornets flexibility to join the NBA’s anticipated centralized streaming solution when it launches in 2027-28. Further announcements are expected regarding the DTC platform and expanded market coverage across North and South Carolina.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As an organization, again, we’re very fortunate that our ownership allows us the latitude to think this way,” — Revenue Officer Mike Behan
