Copyright Live 5 News WCSC
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Hornets, FanDuel Sports Network, Cox Media Group’s WSOC-TV Channel 9 and Gray Media are partnering to simulcast the Hornets 2025-26 Home Opener vs. Brooklyn on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7 pm. This is the second consecutive season select Hornets games have been available for fans to watch on local over-the-air television. The Hornets full 2025-26 simulcast over-the-air schedule will be released at a later date. “We’re thrilled to partner with WSOC-TV and Gray Media to make our Home Opener on FanDuel Sports Network available over-the-air both in Charlotte and markets throughout the Carolinas,” said Hornets President of Business Operations Shelly Cayette-Weston. “We remain committed to enhancing the fan experience and expanding the reach of our broadcasts, while continuing to strengthen our connection with our passionate Hornets fans.” The Home Opener will be produced by FanDuel Sports Network with coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. with the Hornets LIVE pregame show. Every game on FanDuel Sports Network is available throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. WSOC-TV will simulcast the game in the Charlotte region and will also broadcast a Hornets season preview show on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7 pm. “Partnering with the Hornets and Cox Media is a great opportunity for us to put our telecasts in front of more viewers and expose them to the high quality of our productions and our broadcasters,” said Damon Phillips, Executive Vice President, Team Partnerships and FanDuel Sports Network. “We are available on multiple platforms and having fans sample our telecasts will show them what they can see on FanDuel Sports Network for 80 games this season.” “This partnership brings together two iconic brands that have community at their core,” said Cox Media Group Charlotte VP/GM Cedric Thomas. “We’re proud to partner with the Hornets and FanDuel Sports Network to make these entertaining games accessible to everyone we reach in the Carolinas.” While WSOC-TV will simulcast the game to the Charlotte market, Gray Media will distribute the Hornets Home Opener to various markets throughout North Carolina and South Carolina via the Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network and other Gray Media affiliates. The additional markets throughout the Carolinas include Columbia (WIS 10.4 & WPAM 18.1), Charleston (WCSC 5.3), Greenville-New Bern (WITN 7.2), Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson (WHNS 21.2), Myrtle Beach (WMBF 32.3), Raleigh (WRAL 5.2), Wilmington (WECT 6.3). Capitol Broadcasting will distribute the Home Opener in Raleigh. “Gray’s Carolina broadcast television stations – including the Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network – appreciate the opportunity to join again with the Hornets and FanDuel Sports Network to serve their fans and our viewers,” said Sandy Breland, Chief Operating Officer of Gray Media. “We know that viewers will enjoy the opener free, over-the-air.” Cox Media Group and Gray Media will simulcast FanDuel Sports Network’s production of the games. The Hornets broadcast team on FanDuel Sports Network consists of play-by-play announcer Eric Collins, analyst and Hornets legend Dell Curry and host/sideline reporter Shannon Spake. FanDuel Sports Network is the home Hornets basketball this season as the network will broadcast or stream 80 games during the 2025-26 campaign. Fans can subscribe directly to the FanDuel Sports Network app with a Season Pass, annual or monthly subscription, available for purchase at FanDuelSportsNetwork.com . Starting Oct. 22, new subscribers can get 30 days free by using the code HORNETS30. SCHEDULE: 2025-26 OTA Simulcasts Wednesday, Oct 22 vs BKN – 7 pm Tuesday, Nov. 4 at NO – 8 pm Friday, Dec. 5 at TOR – 7:30 pm Thursday, Dec. 18 vs ATL – 7 pm Friday, Dec. 26 at ORL – 7 pm Monday, Dec. 29 vs MIL – 7 pm Thursday, Jan. 8 vs IND – 7 pm Thursday, Jan. 29 at DAL – 8:30 pm Tuesday, Feb. 24 at CHI – 8 pm Friday, March 6 vs MIA – 7 pm Saturday, March 28 vs PHI – 6 pm Tuesday, April 7 at BOS – 7:30 pm
