CMG expands local sports offering with 2 NBA deals

ATLANTA — Cox Media Group (CMG) announced two multi-year NBA local broadcast rights agreements, reinforcing the company’s commitment to serving local audiences and communities with the content that matters most to them: trusted local news, weather, traffic, popular programming and now more live local sports.

CMG’s new partnerships include agreements with the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets beginning with the 2026-27 NBA season to deliver live games in their local markets.

Under these agreements:

• CMG will air the Orlando Magic in Orlando and across Central Florida on WRDQ-TV 27 and WFTV Channel 9.
• In Jacksonville and across Northeast Florida, games will primarily air on the newly created Action Sports Jax TV available on WJAX-TV 47.2, with games also airing on WJAX-TV 47 and WFOX-TV 30.
• In Charlotte and across the Carolinas, CMG will air Charlotte Hornets’ regular-season games on WAXN-TV 64 and WSOC-TV. This is the first time in 27 years that Hornets’ games will be broadcast for free over-the-air.

“Local sports belong to the fans and they belong on broadcast television to best serve those fans and local communities,” said Dan York, president and CEO of Cox Media Group. “For decades, CMG has worked to earn trust by delivering essential local journalism, reliable weather, traffic, entertainment and community-focused programming. Expanding our sports programming is another way we deepen our local connections, allow fans to follow their teams, and create value for local businesses. We are pleased to announce multi-year deals with the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets to bring their games to their local fans over broadcast television.”

The company’s recent NBA broadcast agreements are designed to make hometown teams and live appointment-viewing sports content more accessible to all fans, while creating premium opportunities for local and regional advertisers to connect with passionate audiences in trusted, brand-safe environments. As part of the agreements, advertisers can connect with fans before, during and after games through integrated campaigns spanning broadcast, social media and community activations.

CMG Jacksonville’s upcoming launch of Action Sports Jax TV reflects that strategy. In addition to Orlando Magic basketball, CMG Jacksonville will deliver a local sports destination with broad sports programming from professional, college, high school and community sports. That includes the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars pregame and postgame programming as well as other regional sports content, local shows and community-based sports storytelling.

CMG expects to share additional schedules, coverage plans and programming details as each market prepares for the upcoming NBA season and the launch of Action Sports Jax TV.