WTHR announces TV partnership with Pacers to air five games locally — for free
WTHR, a longtime partner of the Pacers, is expanding its deal to include the simulcast of five games on FanDuel Sports Network. Beginning Jan. 10 v Warriors. Here's what you need to know.
Beginning on Friday (Jan. 10), five Indiana Pacers games over the next two months will also air locally on WTHR.
The best thing about it: these five games will be available for free, over-the-air, in WTHR’s viewing area.
WTHR, the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate in Indianapolis, issued a press release on Monday, which confirms a story I reported here on Fieldhouse Files three weeks ago. The deal has been finalized and now announced ahead of the first airing on Friday.
WTHR is also widely available in central Indiana on cable, satellite, and streaming platforms along with being available for free over-the-air with an antenna.
For years, Pacers fans have been wanting any easier — and preferably free — way to watch games. So many have gotten caught up in cord-cutting due to rising costs, and now streamers, with most not carrying regional sports networks like FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, do not carry the network.
Moreover, there’s a whole generation of kids who grew up without games easily viewable on their TVs. That’s a big challenge for all NBA teams and not just for the Pacers.
Longtime fans will remember watching games on WTTV-4 a few decades ago.
From Michael Brouder, the President and General Manager of WTHR:
Today is a huge win for Pacers fans! We’re excited to team up with Pacers Sports & Entertainment to bring these five games to fans in Indianapolis for free. At WTHR, we’re all about delivering top-notch local stories, and this partnership solidifies us as the go-to destination for live, local sports.
The five games:
Friday, Jan. 10 v Warriors | 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Feb. 8 at Lakers | 4 p.m.
Friday, March 14 at 76ers | 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 15 at Bucks | 8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19 v Mavericks | 7 p.m.
The expansion and trial was possible after an offseason amendment to the contracts between 13 teams and their agreements with FanDuel Sports Network, whose parent company (Diamond Sports Group) was in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has since exited.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment had an agreement with WTHR this past summer to air 17 Indiana Fever games, including 10 on WTHR.
PS&E CEO Mel Raines:
It’s an exciting time for Pacers basketball, and we’re thrilled to expand our reach so that more fans can access games, follow the team and stay connected. We are incredibly thankful for our long-time partners, WTHR and TEGNA, as they continue to help us deliver in-demand content to our growing and diverse fan base.
In Case You Missed It: Click here for my reporting back on Dec. 16.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Will this be a different broadcast?
No. The game will air on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, per usual. This is additive. It’s a simulcast that is ALSO airing on WTHR. So Chris, Quinn, and JJ will be on the call.
What if I’m outside WTHR’s viewing airing?
Then you’re likely able to watch games already on NBA League Pass, which is blacked out in central Indiana. A specific distance is not known, but it’s roughly within 70 miles of the city. This change is most beneficial for residents in the area — downtown and in the surrounding counties.
How else might this be helpful?
This is the key question. Deals with RSNs are big money for individuals teams, typically the top local revenue source. But that’s changing because of the evolving landscape for TV consumption.
We’ve already seen teams like the Jazz and Suns, both under new and younger ownership, take local broadcasts it in-house and make games available both for free locally and available for a cost on their app. I believe more teams will follow suit. By airing on RSNs, it limits the potential audience.
It’s no surprise that WTHR got five great games against interesting opponents. Ratings should do well and help inform PS&E president Todd Taylor about whether this is an avenue worth going down further in future seasons.
You’ll also see more of an investment from the station with live reports from the arena, etc. And teams are almost always wanting more coverage.
Have a question? Leave it in the comments.
Will this be on actual WTHR 13 or on one of their sub channels like some Fever games were?