PALMETTO SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT TO LAUNCH STATEWIDE ON GRAY MEDIA STATIONS
Rhea-AI Summary
Gray Media is set to launch Palmetto Sports & Entertainment, a new sports broadcast channel, in October 2024 across South Carolina. The network will be available on multiple Gray Media stations, including WPAM 18.1 and WIS 10.4 in Columbia, WHNS 21.2 in Greenville-Asheville-Spartanburg, WZCH 35.3 in Charleston, and WMBF 32.3 in Myrtle Beach. Based out of WIS-TV in Columbia, it will focus on live, local sports and entertainment programming.
The channel will feature partnerships with professional teams like the Charleston Battery, Charleston RiverDogs, Columbia Fireflies, Greenville Triumph, and Greenville Liberty. It also includes an official media partnership with Clemson University through WHNS FOX Carolina. The network aims to provide free over-the-air access to live sports and connect communities through sports programming.
Positive
- Expansion of Gray Media's sports coverage across South Carolina
- Partnerships with multiple professional sports teams
- Official media partnership with Clemson University
- Potential for increased viewership and market reach
Negative
- None.
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Contact: Robby Thomas
Vice President & General Manager
WIS 10 – wistv.com
(803) 799-1010 – robby.thomas@wistv.com
COLUMBIA, S.C., Aug. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Palmetto Sports & Entertainment, Gray Media’s newest sports broadcast channel, will launch in October 2024 on South Carolina stations WPAM 18.1 and WIS 10.4 in Columbia, WHNS 21.2 in Greenville-Asheville-Spartanburg, WZCH 35.3 in Charleston, and WMBF 32.3 in Myrtle Beach.
The new network will be based out of Gray’s WIS-TV in Columbia and will focus on live, local sports with a wide variety of entertainment programming across the state of South Carolina. Gray’s WIS started broadcasting live games earlier this year with the Charleston Battery (USL) and Columbia Fireflies (MiLB).
“We’re having fun creating new fans,” said WIS Vice President and General Manager Robby Thomas. “Our audience tells us how much they appreciate watching live sports for free over-the-air. We recognize the power of sports to connect communities, and we’re thrilled to launch this statewide.”
“We couldn’t be more pleased with our partnership with Gray Media throughout this year,” said Charleston Battery Club President Lee Cohen. “The exposure of the Battery to local sports fans who haven’t been able to make it to Patriots Point was a priority for us this past offseason, and we are encouraged by the direction of launching this network to reach even more fans in the near future.”
“It has been really exciting for our broadcast team to work with WIS to make some of our games available to watch for free,” said Columbia Fireflies Team President Brad Shank. “We have had great feedback from fans, and we are looking forward to expanding these opportunities.”
Palmetto Sports & Entertainment’s professional team partnerships at launch will include the Charleston Battery, Charleston RiverDogs, Columbia Fireflies, Greenville Triumph, and Greenville Liberty.
In addition, several schools and colleges will be featured, including an official media partnership with Clemson University through WHNS FOX Carolina in the Greenville-Asheville-Spartanburg-Anderson market.
“We are proud to be an Official Partner of Clemson Athletics and couldn’t be more grateful,” said WHNS FOX Carolina Vice President and General Manager Bryce Caldwell. “It will give viewers the opportunity to see re-imagined Clemson coaches shows, specials and unique content you can’t find anywhere else.”
“This is an incredibly impactful way to bring our award-winning content to more of our fans in their homes alongside a partner with the firepower to expand the footprint of our original programming,” said Kyle Caddell, President of Clemson Athletics’ partnerships team.
As Palmetto Sports & Entertainment continues to schedule and develop programming ahead of its launch, interested teams and content partners are encouraged to contact WIS.
About Gray Media
Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. 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 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. 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. Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films. For more information, please visit www.graymedia.com.
About WIS
WIS is the #1 local media organization in the capital city of Columbia, South Carolina. It is the top-rated broadcast television station serving South Carolina’s Midlands since 1953, and an award-winning provider of local news, weather, sports and entertainment content on multiple broadcast and digital platforms. WIS is a Gray Media company.
