WDAM 7 Weekend Lineup Signals Major Shift in Free Sports Broadcasting Access
Viewers in the Pine Belt will experience a massive influx of premium live sports coverage starting January 24, WDAM 7 is scheduled to broadcast a high-profile NBA triple-header and major winter events across its NBC and ABC channels. This weekend marks a significant return to free-to-air sports television, the lineup features global competitions ranging from professional basketball to endurance racing.
Decline of Cable Networks Sparks Resurgence in Local Broadcast Sports
The media landscape is currently undergoing a massive change, expensive regional cable networks are losing dominance to traditional broadcast stations. Parent company Gray Television is aggressively pivoting toward free-to-air content to capture audiences, this strategy aims to reclaim viewers who have canceled cable subscriptions. WDAM 7 has served Mississippi since 1956, the station is uniquely positioned as a dual-affiliate to offer extensive coverage without paywalls. This shift represents a "full circle" moment for the industry, the goal is to provide stable access to games that were previously locked behind expensive subscriptions. The decline of regional sports networks has accelerated this trend, broadcasters are now stepping in to fill the void with reliable national feeds.
Network Reveals Packed Schedule Featuring NBA Stars and Winter Events
The upcoming broadcast schedule for January 24 features a star-studded NBA lineup on ABC, the action begins at 3:00 PM ET with the New York Knicks facing the Philadelphia 76ers. The prime time slot belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks at 8:30 PM ET, this game highlights the league's new media strategy to maximize national exposure. Basketball fans can also watch the Golden State Warriors play the Minnesota Timberwolves at 5:30 PM ET, this creates a continuous block of top-tier athletic competition. The station is leveraging its dual channels to air simultaneous events, WDAM 7.2 will carry the basketball coverage while WDAM 7.1 broadcasts other major international sports.
Global Events Dominate Weekend Programming Slate
Racing enthusiasts can tune into NBC for the start of the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona, the coverage includes the beginning of the race on Saturday and the finish on Sunday. The network has also scheduled coverage for the Pegasus World Cup, this horse racing series offers a purse of $4.5 million. Winter sports fans will see coverage of the X Games from Aspen, specific events include Men’s Ski Slopestyle and Women’s Ski Big Air. Sunday programming wraps up with highlights from the Australian Open, this ensures tennis fans remain updated on the first week of action from Melbourne.
Local Audiences to Benefit From Enhanced Access and Future Technology
Residents in Hattiesburg and Laurel will now enjoy tier-one sports without needing expensive cable packages, this access represents a significant win for local consumers. The station is using this high-traffic weekend to test capabilities before "Legendary February," upcoming broadcasts include Super Bowl LX and the Winter Olympics. Gray Media is also leveraging these events to promote NextGen TV technology, this allows for 4K signals and interactive features. This weekend serves as a soft launch for a busy month, the station aims to prove that local broadcast TV is the best home for major sporting events.
Sports fans should check local listings for exact start times in their specific area, the shift toward accessible broadcast content is expected to continue expanding throughout 2026.
