PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A new media rights deal ensures that fans across Arizona can continue cheering on their Phoenix Suns, Mercury and Valley Suns for free over-the-air.
The Suns, Mercury and Gray Media have announced the extension of a local media rights partnership, ensuring that the games will be available to millions of fans across the state. The deal will extend through 2028.
As part of the extension, Suns, Mercury and Valley Suns games will be available on Suns+ and Merc+, the direct-to-consumer streaming platforms powered by Kiswe.
“This has always been about the fans. We were the first to make games available free over-the-air, bringing Suns and Mercury games to more fans in Arizona than ever before,” said Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia. “We’re excited to keep our games free and accessible – growing our fanbase and the game of basketball by ensuring everyone in Arizona has access to watch the Suns and Mercury.”
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The partnership was first announced in 2023 and became the first local broadcast partnership in the WNBA and NBA to go over-the-air. Arizona’s Family launched KPHE (Arizona’s Family Sports & Entertainment Network) to expand to Tucson and Yuma markets, making the games available to nearly 3 million households across Arizona.
Thanks to the expanded reach, viewership for Suns games has doubled, averaging 125,000 viewers compared to the 63,000 viewers before the media rights switch. Mercury games have seen a staggering viewership increase of 425%.
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“We know the power of broadcast television and were confident the partnership would move the needle,” said Pat LaPlatney, Co-CEO/President, Gray Media. “It has created a space for a new generation of Phoenix Suns and Mercury fans to easily connect and cheer on their teams. We see it in the viewership data. But most importantly it ushered in a new era of live sports on broadcast television opening the door for more deals of its kind to be done. We are excited to be on this journey with the Suns and Mercury as we continue to put the fan first.”
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