Cleveland fans face a scramble to find Cavaliers games on TV
A drop in broadcast revenue has left the team's games scattered across multiple platforms, a problem Terry Pluto says is spreading across the NBA.
By Harper Laurent ·
The fragmentation of regional sports networks has turned watching local teams into a logistical puzzle for viewers in Cleveland.
Sports commentator Terry Pluto of Ideastream Public Media described the current situation for Cavaliers fans as a floating craps game. He noted that viewers are unsure whether to check Peacock, Prime Video, or other services to find the games.
The team's broadcast home has shifted repeatedly in recent years. It moved from SportsChannel Ohio to Fox Sports Ohio, then to Bally Sports and FanDuel. The instability stemmed from financial trouble at the parent company, Main Street Sports Group, which announced it would end operations in 2026.
The Cavaliers signed a new multiyear deal with DAZN. The contract is reportedly worth about $20 million annually, marking a 43% decrease from the previous agreement. DAZN initially made 15 games available for free streaming. It also secured deals with DirecTV and U-verse to make games available to those subscribers.
Pluto argues this chaos is not unique to Cleveland but is a growing trend in the NBA. He stated that the issue began in baseball a year ago and has since worsened. The Cleveland Guardians experienced a similar transition, leaving Bally Sports Great Lakes after the 2024 season. They now partner with Major League Baseball to distribute games through cable, satellite, their own streaming service, and free over-the-air broadcasts on WKYC.
The NFL has largely escaped these issues, according to Pluto, because its shorter 17-game schedule is tied to lucrative national television contracts. This differs from baseball's 162 games and basketball's 82 games, which are harder to package for national audiences.
The changes pose specific difficulties for fans who rely on traditional cable. Pluto cited an older cousin who was battling cancer and built his days around watching the Guardians. He warned that if teams do not stabilize access, fans may decide they do not need to see the games all the time, potentially eroding long-term loyalty.
