BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – WAFB and Gray Local Media today announced greatly expanded access to New Orleans Pelicans games to benefit regional NBA fans as the 2025-26 season begins. Non-national Pelicans games broadcast on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (GCSEN) will now be available to DIRECTV streaming, satellite, and U-verse customers across the team’s entire three-state home territory.
HOW TO WATCH THE PELICANS ON THE GULF COAST SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK
Directv partnership with GCSEN(FOX 8)
Starting with Wednesday night’s road opener against the Memphis Grizzlies. DIRECTV customers in all three states can find the upcoming Pelicans games on the following channels:
· DIRECTV streaming: Channel 676
· DIRECTV satellite: Channel 676-6
· U-Verse: Channels 1759 (High-Def) and 759 (Standard Def)
In addition to their New Orleans home, Pelicans games will now be available to local fans in key cities including Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Monroe, and Shreveport in Louisiana; Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Jackson, and Meridian, MS; and Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile, AL, among several other communities.
“Our ongoing collaboration has been instrumental in extending the reach of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network to a broader audience of New Orleans Pelicans enthusiasts,” said Joe Sciortino, RVP/General Manager of WAFB. “This latest development marks a significant advancement in our commitment to maximizing accessibility, and as the official broadcast partner, we are confident it will lead to a substantial increase in overall network viewership.”
“DIRECTV remains firmly committed to local sports at a time when many providers are either getting out, not getting in, or potentially making them more expensive to keep,” said Linda Burakoff, Senior Vice President of Content & Programming at DIRECTV. “We welcome the opportunity to work with fan-friendly broadcasters like Gray to ensure all the most loyal fans can access their favorite hometown teams.”
The Pelicans’ regular season begins with an electrifying matchup on Wednesday, October 22, when they face the Grizzlies in Memphis. That game will be simulcast on WAFB, with pre-game coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. and tip-off at 7 p.m. GCSEN is excited to deliver this highly anticipated season opener directly to regional homes.
“As we begin a new season, we’re proud to expand the reach of Pelicans basketball through our relationship with DIRECTV, making GCSEN more accessible than ever,” said Greg Bensel, Pelicans Senior Vice President of Communications, Broadcasting, Community and Government Relations. “This is a meaningful step forward in our ongoing commitment to connect with fans throughout the Gulf South, whether they’re in major cities or small towns across the region.”
Beyond Pelicans basketball, the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network continues to offer an exciting and exclusive lineup of sports and entertainment programming. This includes popular shows such as the Saints Kick-Off Show and the Black & Gold Postgame Show, serving 14 markets across three states in the vibrant Gulf Coast region.
(Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network)
Stay tuned for more updates on the full schedule and programming details as we gear up for an action-packed season.
About WAFB
WAFB is a leading television station based in Baton Rouge, LA, dedicated to providing viewers with compelling news, entertainment, and sports content. As part of Gray Media Group, we strive to engage and inform our community through innovative programming and partnerships.
About the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network:
The Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network aims to be the Gulf Coast’s premier regional broadcast network featuring the area’s best sporting events past and present. The network combines the region’s rich sports history with today’s premier sporting events. The network is based out of WVUE-TV FOX 8 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Living up to the station’s brand “Local First,” the area’s most watched news, FOX 8 News, delivers more original content, live breaking stories, and in-depth coverage on issues that matter most to viewers. All on the platform of your choice: on-air, online, social media and streaming TV devices.
About DIRECTV:
DIRECTV is a premier provider of digital television entertainment in the United States. With a diverse range of programming options and cutting-edge technology, DIRECTV delivers a world-class viewing experience to millions of subscribers. Its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction keeps it at the forefront of the entertainment industry while providing customers with greater choice, flexibility, and control. For more information, visit www.directv.com
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