In a significant development, Gray Media has taken a leap forward in bringing live sports play-by-play to the forefront of broadcast television. This move is set to revolutionize the way hockey enthusiasts across the nation experience the sport. The alliance with the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) marks a new era for Gray Media and hockey fans alike.

Gray Media Unveils Expanded Hockey Broadcast Reach

Initial Announcement and Market Reach

Gray Media's latest announcement has sent ripples through the hockey community. Starting next week, select collegiate hockey matches will grace the screens of Gray Media's stations. The alliance kicks off with the airing of the University of Denver vs. Colorado College match-up in 20 markets. In St. Louis, it will be on Matrix Midwest Sports, reaching a wider audience in the Midwest. Across Louisiana, the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network will bring the action, and in South Carolina, the Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network will be the home for these exciting games. Game time is set at 9am Eastern, ensuring that hockey fans can catch the action at a convenient time.This move showcases Gray Media's deep commitment to the sport of hockey. They have a long history of supporting hockey teams, from the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes to minor-league teams in Cleveland, Kansas City, and Atlanta. Their production company, Raycom Sports, also plays a crucial role by producing all the games for the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

Partnership with NCHC and Fan Benefits

NCHC Commissioner Heather Weems expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, "We're excited to partner with Gray Media to expand the Conference's linear television offerings. This will put a premier NCHC game each week on several local TV stations in non-NCHC markets, as well as some of our own media markets, growing exposure for the Conference and the high-quality product that defines college hockey. Combining Gray's reach with our already existing CBS Sports Network agreement and NCHC.tv, fans will be provided more options than ever to enjoy NCHC hockey."Gray COO Sandy Breland echoed these sentiments, saying, "We're pleased to bring this top-notch conference and highly ranked teams to local viewers. It's an honor to be a part of this growth and to share the excitement of college hockey with our viewers."All NCHC games airing on Gray's stations will also be available on NCHC.tv, the conference's official streaming platform. This provides fans with multiple ways to enjoy the games, whether they prefer to watch on TV or stream online. The majority of the games will take place on Saturday nights starting in January, adding to the weekend excitement for hockey fans.In Canada, the Colorado College/Denver game will air nationally on TSN2, further expanding the reach of these collegiate hockey matches.This partnership between Gray Media and the NCHC is a win-win situation for both parties. It brings the excitement of college hockey to a wider audience and provides fans with more options to enjoy the sport. As Gray Media continues to expand its reach and bring more live sports to the forefront, hockey fans can look forward to an exciting future.