Memphis Grizzlies Launch Largest Local Over-the-Air Broadcast Package Since Franchise Relocation
The Memphis Grizzlies have announced a partnership with DAZN and ABC24 to broadcast 15 regular season games free over-the-air, the largest local broadcast slate since the team's arrival in Memphis in 2001. The simulcasts will air on ABC24 and stream free on DAZN, with TEGNA planning to expand the station's reach across Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Kentucky. The partnership aims to increase accessibility for Grizzlies fans throughout the Mid-South region during the 2026-27 season.
The Memphis Grizzlies' decision to increase free local broadcasting represents a significant shift in how the franchise reaches regional audiences. Since relocating to Memphis in 2001, the team has never offered this volume of games to over-the-air viewers, suggesting a deliberate strategy to broaden fan engagement across the Mid-South. The partnership leverages multiple distribution channels—traditional television through ABC24 and digital streaming via DAZN—to accommodate different viewing preferences among the fanbase.
TEGNA's planned expansion of the broadcast signal into Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Kentucky indicates the initiative extends well beyond Memphis proper, potentially tapping into untapped markets across a four-state region. The timing and opponent selection for the initial eight games, featuring marquee matchups against teams like the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets, suggests careful curation to maximize viewership during the launch phase.
This partnership could impact regional sports accessibility by removing financial barriers to watching professional basketball for lower-income households and rural communities with limited cable subscription adoption. Local broadcasters and streaming platforms may benefit from expanded audience reach, while sponsors gain visibility across a wider geographic footprint. The initiative could influence how other regional sports franchises structure their broadcast strategies, potentially encouraging similar free-to-air offerings as competition for viewership intensifies in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.