The Cleveland Cavaliers have struck a landmark deal to bring 15 regular-season games back to free, over-the-air television for the 2026-27 NBA season. Gray Media, the Cavaliers, and DAZN announced the historic partnership today, promising unprecedented local access to the team. This broadcast innovation arrives as the Cavaliers aim to move past a difficult playoff run, capped by a 93-130 loss to the New York Knicks on May 26, 2026.
The agreement creates a 15-game simulcast package of Cavaliers contests that will be available without any subscription fee. These games are the same ones offered for free on the DAZN platform, which otherwise operates behind a paywall. For fans in Northeast Ohio, the primary broadcast homes will be Gray Media's WOIO (CBS 19) and WUAB (MyNet 43). WUAB carries a deep sports legacy, having aired Cavaliers games and Cleveland Indians baseball for decades.
Chris Conroy, the General Manager of WOIO/WUAB, expressed clear enthusiasm for the arrangement. "We are absolutely thrilled to partner with the Cavaliers and DAZN to bring world-class basketball straight to our viewers’ living rooms completely free of charge," Conroy said. "Local sports belong on local television, and this historic agreement delivers for Cavs fans."
This deal fundamentally changes how a significant portion of the fanbase can watch the team. Beyond the Cleveland market, the games will also air statewide on the Rock Entertainment Sports Network. That network is a collaboration between Gray Media and the Rock Entertainment Group, which owns the Cavaliers, Cleveland Monsters, Cleveland Charge, and Cleveland Sirens. It's a major win for cord-cutters and households without cable or premium sports streaming packages.
Gray Media will also distribute the 15-game package on its stations in other markets like Cincinnati, Ohio; Lima, Ohio; and Parkersburg, West Virginia. The company has stated it will seek additional third-party broadcasters to carry the games in areas where it doesn't own stations. The goal is blanket regional coverage, making it easier than ever to follow the Cavaliers' progress through the [standings](/standings).
The broadcast news offers a positive storyline for a franchise reflecting on a challenging postseason. The Cavaliers' 2026 playoff campaign ended with four consecutive losses to the New York Knicks. Their recent form over the last five games shows one win and four losses (LLLLW). The specific results were a 93-130 defeat on May 26, a 108-121 loss on May 24, a 109-93 loss in New York on May 22, and a 115-104 loss on May 20. Their sole victory in that stretch was a 125-94 win over the Detroit Pistons on May 18.
Improving that record will be the focus when the team returns to action. The new television deal ensures more fans can watch that journey unfold without cost barriers. It represents a strategic investment in fan engagement by the Rock Entertainment Group, aligning broadcast access with the on-court product. As the organization builds its [squad](/squad) for the future, this move guarantees the team remains a central part of the community's sports landscape. The first of these 15 free broadcasts will be a notable event during the 2026-27 NBA schedule.
