The Atlanta Hawks have teamed up with Peachtree TV, ringing in the new year with a deal that dishes out local broadcast delight. Starting with their game against the Indiana Pacers today, fans can cheer on their favorite squad during 10 featured matchups over the 2023-2024 season. This move heralds a return to local airwaves not seen since the early '90s and expands the ball club's reach across Georgia and Alabama via the Peachtree Sports Network.
In a play that's sure to score with Hawks supporters, two of the games, including the opener against the Pacers and the following showdown at Miami on January 19, are being simulcast on Atlanta News First's CBS affiliate. According to Atlanta News First, Andrew Saltzman, the team's Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, stated, "This is a tremendous opportunity to give Hawks fans a new, free way to watch our games this season." The strategy not only revives a historic local partnership but also aims to net a wider audience.
On the court, fan favorites and seasoned pros such as Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins and play-by-play announcer Bob Rathbun will continue to provide the action's narrative. The teamup between Peachtree TV and the Hawks extends beyond the main court, with Peachtree TV holding its ground as the broadcast venue for the College Park Skyhawks, the team's G League affiliate.
Hoodline reports Erik Schrader, Vice President and General Manager of WANF/WPCH, explained the rationale behind this broadcast maneuver. "Not only do longtime fans get their favorite team for free, but it’s the best opportunity to grow new fans," he said. The Hawks' approach aims to rebound with an older audience while also capturing the attention of the next generation of fans.
Hawks games will clash with heavyweights like the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, and Philadelphia 76ers, with each game being accessible to viewers via various platforms, including Xfinity, Spectrum, DirecTV, and DISH Network. With the Hawks swooping into living rooms at no cost, it's a savvy assist that's expected to garner as much cheer as a last-second buzzer-beater. Fans ready to hoop it up can catch the full schedule and tune in for free throws, dunks, and alley-oops as the Hawks play on their historical home grounds.
