'Fan-tastic TV': Weigel announces new Midwest network for fans to watch 10 free Milwaukee Bucks games
As the Milwaukee Bucks return to broadcast television, fans will be able to watch premier Bucks games across Wisconsin and in regions of Iowa and Illinois, through an innovative deal structure that creates a network of television stations led by Weigel Broadcasting Co.
Stations from Weigel (WMLW, WDJT & WYTU, Milwaukee), Gray Television (WBAY, Green Bay, WEAU & WECX, La Crosse/Eau Claire, WSAW & WYOW, Wausau), Morgan Murphy Media (WISC, Madison) and TEGNA (WQAD, Davenport/Rock Island/Moline) will provide Bucks fans the opportunity to watch games on over-the-air television. The announcement confirms broadcast arrangements for 10 Bucks games moving from Bally Sports Wisconsin.
The games were previously made available for local over-the-air distribution as part of the NBA’s agreement with Diamond Sports Group, the owner of Bally Sports Wisconsin. The complete 10-game schedule follows:
"We’re thrilled to reach Bucks fans on broadcast television stations," said Peter Feigin, president of the Bucks and Fiserv Forum. "Over-the-air is an easy and affordable way for Bucks fans to watch our games and we’re excited to work with a fan-first team of broadcasters, led by Weigel along with Gray, Morgan Murphy and TEGNA, to make the games widely available."
“Weigel is grateful to announce this collaboration with the Bucks and bellwether broadcast companies throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest," said Evan Fieldman, executive vice president of Weigel. "As a result of broadcasters working together as a team in service to viewers, sports fans across the region will have an easy and affordable way to watch Bucks basketball games on over-the-air television. The broadcast sports model is a fantastic media platform for teams, for leagues, and most importantly, for all sports fans."
"We are thrilled to offer the Bucks fans in Green Bay, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Wausau, and nearby areas the chance to watch these ten games for free. This is a fantastic opportunity for Gray stations WBAY/WBAY 365 in Green Bay, WYOW/WSAW in Wausau and WEAU/WECX in Eau Claire-La Crosse to provide complete access to these Bucks games, regardless of how you watch TV," said Matt Moran, senior managing vice president for Gray Television.
“For the first time in many years, Milwaukee Bucks games will be available, free and over-the-air, to the viewers of Southwestern Wisconsin and WISC-TV is proud to be the home of them! WISC-TV is also honored to collaborate with Weigel Broadcasting to make this historic 10 game airing possible,” said Lyle Banks, vice president & general manager of Morgan Murphy Media.
"We’re grateful for the trust of the Milwaukee Bucks and Weigel Broadcasting," said Brad Ramsey, senior vice president, media operations, TEGNA. "This is an exciting moment in sports, and we’re pleased to strike additional agreements to offer more games to more fans in more homes."
The Bucks TV broadcast team of Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Steve Novak will be on the call for the 10 games, with Melanie Ricks reporting from the sidelines.
In addition, Weigel will provide a separate Spanish language broadcast of the March 4 game on Telemundo Wisconsin.
Free over-the-air television provides fans an easy and affordable way to watch the Milwaukee Bucks. Broadcast antennas to watch over-the-air television are widely available for purchase.
A full list of affiliates, channel positions and other tune-in information can be found at wmlw.com.
The Bucks are back on broadcast television, and it's fan-tastic tv.