Gray Media and Memphis Grizzlies Announce Expanded Partnership to Simulcast Seven Games Free Over-the-Air Across Six Markets

Rhea-AI Summary

Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) and the Memphis Grizzlies expanded a partnership to simulcast seven Grizzlies games free over-the-air across six markets in four states beginning November 20, 2025.

The package covers Tennessee’s three largest markets (Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville) and will add Jonesboro, AR; Bowling Green, KY; and Tupelo, MS. Games air on local Gray channels and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast; Memphis will use WMC-TV (channel 5) and subchannel 5.3. The seven-game schedule runs from Nov 20, 2025 to Jan 31, 2026 and includes local pregame/postgame show Grizzlies LIVE.

Insights

Media Partnerships Analyst

Expanded seven-game, free over-the-air simulcast broadens reach across six markets and strengthens local distribution for Gray Media and the Grizzlies.

Gray Media will carry seven Memphis Grizzlies games free over-the-air across Tennessee’s three largest markets and will expand distribution into Jonesboro, AR, Bowling Green, KY, and Tupelo, MS, with coverage in Tupelo provided by Allen Media Group; the schedule includes specific broadcast dates from November 20, 2025 through January 31, 2026. The arrangement uses the NBA’s agreement with Main Street Sports Group and features the FanDuel Sports Network broadcast team and the Grizzlies LIVE pre/postgame show presented by Ford.

This deal directly increases visible distribution for Gray Media, which the release states reaches approximately 37% of U.S. television households and owns stations in 113 markets; wider free OTA availability in six markets likely raises local audience penetration and advertiser inventory without disclosed incremental rights fees. Primary dependencies include the undisclosed commercial terms with Main Street Sports Group and Allen Media Group and channel assignments for three markets that are pending; those items determine revenue capture and exact local reach.

Watch for the announced channel allocations for Jonesboro, Bowling Green, and Tupelo and any follow-up disclosures of commercial terms or advertising inventory tied to these seven telecasts within the next weeks leading into the listed game dates. Metrics to monitor include stated household reach updates, any press releases with advertising or carriage terms, and whether similar simulcast expansions occur later in the season.

ATLANTA, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Memphis Grizzlies, Gray Media, and FanDuel Sports Network are once again partnering to simulcast seven upcoming Grizzlies games this season. Gray will broadcast these games free over-the-air across Tennessee’s three largest media markets – Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville and plans to expand on previous over-the-air packages to include Jonesboro, AR, Bowling Green, KY, and Tupelo, MS. This expanded partnership will provide fans with even more options to watch and cheer on Tennessee’s only NBA franchise, the Memphis Grizzlies, including free, over-the-air broadcast television.

The broadcast schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, November 20^th at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET | Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings
• Wednesday, November 26^th at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET | Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans
• Friday, December 5^th at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET | Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Clippers
• Saturday, December 20^th at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET | Grizzlies vs Washington Wizards
• Friday, January 9^th at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET | Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder
• Sunday, January 25^th at 2:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. ET | Grizzlies vs Denver Nuggets
• Saturday, January 31^st at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET | Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves
  
  

In Memphis, Gray will broadcast the games free, over-the-air on WMC-TV, Action News Five channel 5 and simulcast on Midsouth Sports and Entertainment Network, channel 5.3.

In Nashville, Gray will broadcast the games free, over-the-air on WSMV-TV, channel 4.1 and simulcast on the Tennessee Valley Sports and Entertainment Network, channel 4.2.

In Knoxville, Gray will broadcast the games free, over-the-air on WBXX, Knoxville’s CW, channel 20.1 and MyVLT, MyNetworkTV, channel 8.2.

Channel locations for Jonesboro, AR, Bowling Green, KY, and Tupelo, MS will be announced at a later date. Coverage in Tupelo, MS will be provided by television stations owned by Allen Media Group.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Gray Media this season and bring seven Grizzlies games free over-the-air to even more fans across six markets in four states,” said Grizzlies President Jason Wexler. “We are appreciative of Gray Media’s commitment in helping us present this expanded opportunity to our fan base throughout the region.”

“Gray Media is proud to deepen our partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies, offering an increased number of free, over-the-air games to a wider audience this season,” said Jonathan Mitchell, General Manager of WMC Television in Memphis. “By extending our broadcasts to six key markets, we are reinforcing our dedication to serving communities and connecting more fans with the excitement of Grizzlies basketball.”

This season’s seven-game schedule will be available for local over-the-air simulcast distribution as part of the NBA’s agreement with Main Street Sports Group (formerly Diamond Sports Group), the owner of FanDuel Sports Network Southeast. The FanDuel Sports Network Grizzlies broadcast team of Pete Pranica and Brevin Knight along with sideline reporter Rob Fisher will call all the in-game action. In addition, all broadcasts will feature the pregame and postgame show, Grizzlies LIVE, presented by Ford and your Mid-South Ford Dealers. Fischer will host Grizzlies LIVE for all telecasts alongside Pranica, Knight and Grind City Media’s Chris Vernon for all Grizzlies LIVE for all home telecasts.

About Gray Media:

Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE: GTN) is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 37 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station during 2024, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 44 markets.  The company 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.  Gray’s 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. For more information, please visit www.graymedia.com.

Gray Contact:

Jonathan Mitchell, WMC General Manager, 901-726-0500 or jonathan.mitchell@wmctv.com

FAQ

Which Memphis Grizzlies games will Gray Media simulcast free over-the-air in 2025–2026 (GTN)?

Gray Media will simulcast seven games: Nov 20 vs Sacramento, Nov 26 at New Orleans, Dec 5 vs LA Clippers, Dec 20 vs Washington, Jan 9 vs Oklahoma City, Jan 25 vs Denver, and Jan 31 vs Minnesota.

What markets will receive the Grizzlies free over-the-air broadcasts from Gray Media (GTN)?

Coverage includes Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, plus forthcoming channel announcements for Jonesboro AR, Bowling Green KY, and Tupelo MS.

On which Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville channels will GTN broadcast the Grizzlies games?

In Memphis: WMC-TV channel 5 and subchannel 5.3; Nashville: WSMV-TV channel 4.1 and subchannel 4.2; Knoxville: WBXX channel 20.1 and MyVLT channel 8.2.

Who produces the Grizzlies broadcasts and which on-air talent will call the games?

Broadcasts are distributed via FanDuel Sports Network Southeast; commentators are Pete Pranica and Brevin Knight with sideline reporter Rob Fisher and Grizzlies LIVE hosted by Fischer, Pranica, Knight, and Chris Vernon.

When does the expanded seven-game simulcast package begin and end for Grizzlies/GTN?

The package begins Nov 20, 2025 and concludes Jan 31, 2026, covering seven scheduled telecasts across that period.

Will the Grizzlies simulcast be available free over-the-air in Tupelo, MS and who provides that coverage?

Yes; Tupelo coverage will be provided by television stations owned by Allen Media Group, with exact channel locations announced later.