New Orleans Pelicans Ink OTA-TV Distribution Deal With Gray Media; Raycom Sports To Produce All Games
Games will also be available to stream in team broadcast area on a service to be announced
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The New Orleans Pelicans have announced a new media-rights deal with Gray Media to broadcast all non-nationally televised Pelicans games locally via free over-the-air television, beginning with the 2024-25 season. The distribution agreement with Gray Media will make Pelicans games available to 4.1 million households (nearly 7 million viewers) throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, quadrupling the number of households that will have access to watch Pelicans games. All games airing on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network (GCSEN) will be produced by Raycom Sports (owned by Gray Media).
The partnership with Gray Media will allow Pelicans fans to watch live games and comprehensive team content on free, over-the-air local television. Fans within the team’s local broadcast territory will be able to watch all non-exclusive nationally televised Pelicans games on a local over-the-air Gray Media channel or on the soon-to-be launched GCSEN in Louisiana (Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans, and Shreveport); Mississippi (Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Jackson, and Meridian); and Alabama (Mobile).
“This partnership with Gray Media represents our commitment to our fans, community, and partners across Louisiana and the Gulf South,” says 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.”
Says Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha, “Providing the best overall fan experience and accessibility to the team remains our No.1 priority. 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.”
Pelicans games will also be available to stream by audiences inside the team’s broadcast territory. The platform, which will be Pelicans-branded, will offer fans the ability to watch every available Pelicans game on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or Smart TV, plus access to original team content and behind-the-scenes footage, alongside the over-the-air broadcast. Fans outside the team’s coverage territory can access games via NBA League Pass. Additional details about the Pelicans streaming service will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Regardless of how you access TV — be it through cable, an antenna, or streaming — Pelicans games will be within reach no matter where you are,” Lauscha says. “This service allows us to deliver a cutting-edge streaming experience, giving our fans unprecedented flexibility and access to our games.”
The team and Gray Media will soon announce the complete broadcast schedule for the 2024-25 Pelicans season, along with further programming and channel details regarding the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.
“Gray Media is incredibly fortunate to broaden a long-time partnership with Gayle Benson, Dennis Lauscha, and the entire Pelicans and Saints organization,” says Pat LaPlatney, president/co-CEO, Gray Media. “We are beyond excited to bring the New Orleans Pelicans games to our viewers across Louisiana, Mississippi, and southern Alabama!”
Sandy Breland, COO, Gray Media, notes, “We’re thrilled with this partnership and the ability to connect our loyal viewers with Pelicans fans across the Gulf South. There’s so much excitement around the team, and now fans across the Gulf South can share in that excitement through free over-the-air television or through any basic cable, satellite service, or streaming provider that carries the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.”
The Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network aims to be the Gulf Coast’s premier regional broadcast network, combining the region’s rich sports history with today’s premier sports events. The network is based at FOX affiliate WVUE-TV New Orleans.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Pelicans games free to fans in New Orleans and all across the Gulf Coast,” says Mikel Schaefer, VP/GM, WVUE. “Fans are ready to enjoy this exciting team on a nightly basis, and the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network will deliver that more than ever.”
Beginning with the Pelicans’ season opener against the Chicago Bulls at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday, Oct. 23, WVUE will air at least eight regular-season games and all available postseason games in the New Orleans market, with the remaining games available on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.
Regional markets within the team’s local broadcast territory that will have access to Pelicans games via over-the-air television and streaming:
| Market | Network | OTA Channel |
| Alexandria (La.) | KLGC | 25.2 |
| Baton Rouge (La.) | WAFB | 9.3 |
| Biloxi (Miss.) | WTBL | 51.3 |
| Hattiesburg (Miss.) | WLHA | 18.2 |
| Jackson (Miss.) | WLBT | 3.3 |
| Lake Charles (La.) | KGCH | 32.1 |
| Meridian (Miss.) | WOOK | 15.5 |
| Mobile (Ala.) | WALA | 10.5 |
| Monroe (La.) | KCWL | 24.1 |
| New Orleans (La.) | WVUE | 7.1 |
| Shreveport (La.) | KSLA | 12.2 |
