NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans today 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.
The partnership with Gray Media offers Pelicans fans unparalleled access 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 an over-the-air Gray Media local channel or on the soon-to-be launched Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (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,” 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.”
“Providing the best overall fan experience and accessibility to the team remains our No.1 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.”
“Gray Media is incredibly fortunate to broaden a long-time partnership with Gayle Benson, Dennis Lauscha and the entire Pelicans and Saints organization,” said 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!”
“We’re thrilled with this partnership and the ability to connect our loyal viewers with Pelicans fans across the Gulf South,” said Sandy Breland, COO, Gray Media. “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.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Pelicans games free to fans in New Orleans and all across the Gulf Coast,” said Mikel Schaefer, WVUE Vice President & General Manager. “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 the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday, Oct. 23, WVUE will air at least eight (8) regular season games and all available postseason games in the New Orleans market, with the remaining games being available on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.
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.
Pelicans games will also be available to stream to audiences inside the team’s broadcast territory. The streaming platform, which will be Pelicans-branded, will offer fans the ability to watch every available Pelicans game alongside the over-the-air broadcast on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or Smart TV, plus access to original team content and behind-the-scenes footage. Fans outside of 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 said. “This service allows us to deliver a cutting-edge streaming experience, giving our fans unprecedented flexibility and access to our games.”
The current list of regional markets within the team’s local broadcast territory that will have access to Pelicans games via over-the-air television and streaming include.
| 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 |
About Gray Media:
Gray Media is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Gray 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. Gray 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. Its 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.
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 or 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, La. Living up to the stations 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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