The Atlanta Hawks are bringing regular-season action to a wider audience, returning to their roots on Peachtree TV (WPCH) after a nearly thirty-year hiatus. Beginning with their game against Indiana on January 12, the network is set to air every Friday night Hawks match for the remaining portion of the 2023-24 NBA season, except for a switch-up on March 8 for the game versus New Orleans on March 10, according to a statement obtained by NBA.com.
While taking a nostalgic flight, the Hawks are banking on this move to rekindle their relationship with local viewers and Peachtree TV, whose partnership history dates back to the franchise's broadcast on WPCH's predecessors from 1972 to 1994. Before getting dunked into cable TV land, they also aired on WANF from 1986 to 1993, a detail NBA.com notes. With the recent deal, fans can catch the action for free over the air or through major cable and satellite pay-TV systems such as Xfinity and Spectrum, to coin tossing few names into the court.
Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena Executive Vice President/Chief Revenue Officer Andrew Saltzman highlighted the significance of the move. "This is a tremendous opportunity to give Hawks fans a new, free way to watch our games this season," Saltzman enthused, in a statement hailed by NBA.com. Conversely, Friday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers will not only put the Hawks in the nation's historical hotbed but also airs exclusively on Peachtree TV and Peachtree Sports Network, as per Atlanta News First.
In terms of game stats reported by Atlanta News First, the 76ers are entering the face-off against the Hawks on the back of three consecutive home defeats. Philadelphia boasts a 19-12 record against fellow Eastern Conference teams, while the Hawks have a less enviable 13-21 in conference play. As the teams prepare for their fourth season showdown, they carry the weight of history in their sneakers, with the Hawks having tipped the balance in their favor during their last encounter on January 11, led by Trae Young netting 28 points for a 139-132 overtime victory.
For the sports aficionados counting each pass and layup, the Hawks are shooting an impressive 46.6% from the field and averaging 121.5 points per game, which positions them third in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, over in Philly, the 76ers are sinking an average of 11.4 three-pointers per game. Looking at the injury lineup, both teams are grappling with notable absences, including Joel Embiid's knee issue keeping him out for the 76ers, and the Hawks missing the defensive prowess of Clint Capela due to an adductor injury, as outlined by Atlanta News First.
