What happened: Atlanta Hawks games will be available over the air in Atlanta with only an inexpensive antenna. The team has also added a widely available service for in-market streaming. Local broadcasts are set to start 30 minutes earlier this season.

Why it matters: The combination lowers the barrier for households without cable or league packages. Over-the-air access plus a common streaming option keeps local games reachable for younger viewers. That matters entering the 2026-27 season as teams compete for local audience share.

What to watch: Watch for the setup to carry into opening night and whether start-time and streaming access hold through the regular season.