The Cleveland Cavaliers have been ranked dead last in the NBA for local television broadcast accessibility. This places them 30th out of 30 teams for fan access to games, a frustrating reality for supporters across Ohio as the 2026-27 preseason continues. The team's recent on-court action includes a 132-116 preseason loss to the Orlando Magic on October 13.
The low ranking stems from the team's exclusive streaming deal with DAZN. That agreement was announced on September 1 following the collapse of the previous local broadcaster, FanDuel Sports Network. An exclusive deal means very few games are available on traditional over-the-air channels. For this season, only 15 regular season games will be simulcast on local stations WUAB and WOIO.
Most Cavaliers games will require a subscription to the DAZN streaming service. The team is one of just five in the league with this kind of exclusive streaming arrangement. While 17 games are scheduled for national television, the remaining 59 regular season contests are affected. Fans without the specific streaming package face a significant barrier to watching their team.
For many long-time supporters, finding games has become confusing and expensive. The shift from a standard cable channel to a dedicated streaming app adds cost and complexity. Older fans or those in areas with unreliable internet are particularly disadvantaged by this model. It creates a divide between those who can afford and handle the new system and those who cannot.
Team viewership and local engagement could suffer as a result. Building a connection with the next generation of fans is harder when games are not easily accessible. The Cavaliers' preseason results, like their 119-105 win over Orlando on October 11 and a 113-124 loss to Boston on October 8, become stories fans hear about rather than see.
The immediate focus is the final preseason game, an away fixture against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 22. After that, the regular season begins with the broadcast accessibility issue unresolved for most fans.
There is no indication the team's media rights deal will change before the 2026-27 season tips off. The organization has emphasized the reach of a global streaming partner like DAZN. But the local ranking highlights a clear disconnect. For now, following the Cavaliers requires a specific digital subscription, leaving many traditional viewers behind as a new NBA year approaches.
