Griffin Media has partnered with the Oklahoma City Thunder to launch the Thunder Gameday Network, shifting nearly 70 games from regional sports networks to a hybrid model of free over-the-air broadcast and the new Thunder+ streaming platform. This move reflects a broader industry trend of professional sports teams reclaiming distribution rights to bypass traditional regional sports networks.
This shift to a hybrid broadcast and direct-to-consumer model highlights the ongoing collapse of the traditional regional sports network (RSN) ecosystem. By reclaiming rights from FanDuel Sports Network, the Thunder are prioritizing reach and accessibility over guaranteed cable carriage fees, leveraging their status as the NBA's most-watched team to build a proprietary audience. This move aligns with a broader industry trend where high-value sports properties use over-the-air signals to solve the 'blackout' issues inherent in declining pay-TV penetration. Watch for whether other high-viewership NBA franchises follow this blueprint as their existing RSN contracts expire or face restructuring.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have partnered with Griffin Media to move 70 games to free over-the-air television and a new direct-to-consumer platform, Thunder+. This strategic shift away from the FanDuel Sports Network aims to increase accessibility and reach for the NBA's most-watched team, signaling a decline in traditional regional sports networks.
Games will be available on free over-the-air stations like KSBI, CBS, and CW affiliates in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, as well as the new Thunder+ streaming platform.
The team is moving to a hybrid broadcast and direct-to-consumer model to prioritize viewer reach and accessibility over the traditional cable-centric distribution model.
The Thunder Gameday Network is the new distribution model replacing the team's previous reliance on the cable-centric FanDuel Sports Network.
Griffin Media will air 63 games on the independent station KSBI and 10 games on CBS and CW affiliates in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
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