The New Orleans Pelicans will have more eyeballs on them this season.
The Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, which began broadcasting Pelicans’ games last season, will now be available to DIRECTV subscribers.
“DIRECTV’s addition of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network is a major step forward in bringing Pelicans basketball to fans across our region,” said Greg Bensel, the Pelicans’ Senior Vice President of Communications, Broadcasting, Community, and Government Relations. “This partnership gives us the potential to reach millions of new viewers. As GCSEN continues to grow, we’re listening to our fans and working to ensure everyone has the opportunity to watch Pelicans broadcasts.”
The GCSEN is in 14 television markets across the region. Those markets are: Louisiana (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Monroe, and Shreveport); Mississippi (Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Jackson and Meridian); and Alabama (Mobile, Birmingham, and Montgomery).
“We’re proud to bring the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network to DIRECTV so Pelicans fans can watch their favorite team,” said WVUE-TV and GCSEN general manager Mikel Schaefer.
GCSECN will air all non-national network Pelicans’ games. The Pelicans have only two national network games on the schedule this season.The Dec. 8 home game against the San Antonio Spurs will be broadcast on Peacock. The Jan. 30 game against the Memphis Grizzlies will air on ESPN. That leaves the other 80 games for the GCSEN.
The first Pelicans’ broadcast on GCSEN season will be the Oct. 3 preseason game in Australia against Melbourne United. Tip-off for that game is 4:30 a.m.
The first regular season broadcast is October 22 when the Pelicans travel to play the Memphis Grizzlies. That game will be simulcast on WVUE-FOX 8.
The Pelicans are hoping to rebound from last season when they finished 21-61, the second fewest wins in franchise history.