Composite story
Cavs put 15 regular-season games on free over-the-air TV with Gray Media
Cleveland, OhioPublished 16 Sep 2026
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Gray Media announced that 15 2026-27 games will simulcast free on WOIO, WUAB, and Rock Entertainment Sports Network alongside DAZN.
On Sept. 15, 2026, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Gray Media said 15 regular-season games will air free over the air on WOIO (Channel 19), WUAB (Channel 43), and statewide on Rock Entertainment Sports Network, as a simulcast of games offered in front of DAZN’s paywall. Gray stations in Cincinnati, Lima, and Parkersburg, W.Va., will also carry the package. The first free game is Oct. 26. Akron Beacon Journal reported the team and DAZN were noncommittal on cable and satellite carriage.
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Cleveland Cavaliers games return to free over-the-air television on 19 News
Published 15 Sep 2026 accessed 16 Sep 2026
Facts
Rock Entertainment Group owns the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sirens, Monsters, and Charge.
WUAB has a long history of broadcasting Cavaliers games and carried Cleveland Indians baseball.
19 News and Cleveland's 43 are free with an antenna.
19 News is on YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Fubo, Paramount+, and other local providers; that does not apply to Cleveland's 43.
Opinion
Gray Media said the deal gives fans unprecedented access to one of the NBA's premier teams.
WOIO and WUAB called themselves the undisputed home of free, live Cleveland sports.
Cavs announce local TV schedule with no mention of cable, satellite
Published 15 Sep 2026 accessed 16 Sep 2026
Facts
When the Beacon Journal asked Cavaliers and DAZN officials last month about cable, virtual-cable, and satellite deals, they were noncommittal.
Guardians games are produced through Major League Baseball and streamed via CLEGuardians.TV, and are also offered on cable and satellite.
The Cavaliers will have 17 nationally televised games on ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video.
Opinion
The Beacon Journal said the setup is a far cry from when fans could turn on a local regional sports network and find their teams' games.
The Beacon Journal suspects this is the access Cavs fans, hardcore and casual, can expect unless something changes.
The Beacon Journal said the harsh reality is that fans who want to see all the games will have to pay for most of them.
How to watch Cavs games for free the 2026-27 NBA season
Published 15 Sep 2026 accessed 16 Sep 2026
Facts
WOIO/WUAB general manager Chris Conroy said the stations are thrilled to partner with the Cavaliers and DAZN to put games on TV free of charge.
The NBA preseason starts Oct. 3, opening with the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat.
The Cavaliers' first regular-season game is Oct. 20 at Xfinity Mobile Arena against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Cavaliers' first preseason game is Oct. 8 at home against the Boston Celtics.
The NBA regular season starts Oct. 20 with Boston and Detroit.
Opinion
Chris Conroy said local sports belong on local television and that the agreement delivers for Cavs fans.
Cleveland Cavaliers Announce New Over-the-Air Game Coverage in DAZN Partnership
Published 15 Sep 2026 accessed 16 Sep 2026
Facts
The first of 15 free Cavaliers games on local Gray Media stations or Rock Entertainment Sports Network is Oct. 26.
The regional sports network last known as FanDuel Sports Network Ohio shut down last season.
The DAZN deal included an announcement about potentially having free games for fans to watch Donovan Mitchell.
The broadcasts were moved to an in-house team from Rock Entertainment Group.
The in-house broadcasts allow new camera angles, graphics, and other game-day adjustments.
The other 50-plus games are still behind a paywall or on national TV.
Fans will also get pregame and postgame shows with Austin Carr.
There were complaints about DAZN subscription pricing to watch the Cavaliers.
Season and half-season ticket holders will get a free season-pass subscription to the games.
Gray Media senior operating official Matt Moran said the partnership is a forward-thinking approach to serving local sports fans.
The Pelicans, Mavericks, Suns, and Jazz previously moved to in-house broadcasting with a direct-to-consumer paywall.
Opinion
Adding the free games makes a DAZN subscription more important because most games remain behind a paywall or on national TV.
At the end of last season it seemed NBA teams would struggle to find new rights deals as most moved to in-house broadcasts.