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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Atlanta Hawks basketball games will be available to watch for free on WALB platforms during the 2026-2027 season, thanks to a landmark partnership between the Hawks and Gray Media, WALB’s parent company.
The partnership was announced Thursday, July 16, and will bring all non-nationally televised games during the regular 2026-27 NBA season to homes in South Georgia.
The roughly 156,000 households in WALB’s viewing area can watch the Hawks games on WALB’s free over-the-air signal and through the station’s carriage on pay-TV systems such as Xfinity, Spectrum, DirecTV and DISH Network.
“Atlanta is one of the premier sports cities in the country, and we are proud to give Hawks fans across Georgia the most accessible, free viewing experience possible,” Hilton Howell, the Chairman and CEO of Gray Media said.
Fans cheer during the player introductions in this file photo. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)(Ron Schwane | AP)>> More from WALB Sports <<
Gray Media and the Hawks organization began their collaboration during the 2023-24 season. That year, they simulcast 10- and 11-game packages. Now, WALB and Gray Media’s viewers have more access to the Hawks than ever.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with [WALB’s sister station, Atlanta News First], giving Hawks fans across Georgia even greater access to their favorite team this upcoming season,” Andrew Saltzman, president of business enterprise and chief commercial officer of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, said.
WALB will broadcast three preseason games and select national games in addition to the non-nationally televised regular season games. Gray Media said that a full broadcast schedule, including tip-off times and game-by-game details, will be released at a later date.
As a partnership with Gray Media, the viewing opportunities apply to all Gray Media stations in the state of Georgia, including Atlanta News First, WTVM in Columbus, WTOC in Savannah, WPGA in Macon and WRDW in Augusta. Learn more at Hawks.com.
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