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The Cleveland Cavaliers' 2026-27 preseason schedule begins on Thursday, October 8, but supporters hoping to catch the action from their living rooms, man caves, or mobile devices will need to piece together coverage from multiple outlets. Broadcast rights for the team are distributed among several platforms, reflecting the modern sports viewing era where a single centralized channel no longer suffices. A traditional TV guide—if printed versions still exist—won't provide the full picture; instead, fans must familiarize themselves with the schedule and each broadcaster's offerings.
For those wondering how to follow the Cavs as they chase a second championship, here's a breakdown of the options. DAZN has emerged as the primary streaming home for the majority of Cavaliers games this season. Last month, the team, along with several other NBA franchises, agreed to multi-year deals to stream games on DAZN, and the arrangement kicks off this week. The service has long sought a stronger presence in the U.S. market and with American sports leagues, and the decline of regional sports networks—and later the FanDuel Sports Network—created an opening.
Under the deal, DAZN will carry 63 Cavaliers games, starting with the October 8 preseason matchup against the Boston Celtics. Access requires a paid subscription, though a seven-day free trial is currently available. Pricing tiers are as follows: Monthly Pass at $19.99 per month, which allows two streams in one location and includes downloads; Monthly Pass Ultimate at $24.99 per month, offering five streams across two locations, multiview, downloads, alternate angles and feeds, plus a one-time 15% discount at Cavs.com/shop; Season Pass at $119.99 per year, with two streams in one location and downloads; and Season Pass Ultimate at $139.99 per year, which includes five streams in two locations, multiview, downloads, alternate angles and feeds, and the same one-time 15% shop discount.
In addition to the DAZN package, the Cavaliers will make 17 appearances on national television, and those games will not be available on DAZN. Instead, they will air or stream on one of the NBA's other broadcast partners: ESPN/ABC, NBC Peacock, or Prime Video. The national TV schedule is as follows: October 22, Cleveland at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. on ESPN; November 2, Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 7 p.m. on Peacock; November 6, 2026, Philadelphia at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. on Prime Video; November 11, Cleveland at New York, 7 p.m. on ESPN; December 15, San Antonio at Cleveland, 8 p.m. on NBC/Peacock; December 21, New York at Cleveland, 7 p.m. on Peacock; December 28, Boston at Cleveland, 8 p.m. on NBC/Peacock; January 18, 2027, Detroit at Cleveland (MLK Day) on NBC/Peacock; January 27, 2027, Detroit at Cleveland, 7 p.m. on ESPN; January 29, 2027, Cleveland at Toronto, 7 p.m. on ESPN; March 1, 2027, Philadelphia at Cleveland on Peacock; March 6, 2027, Atlanta at Cleveland on Prime Video; March 9, 2027, Cleveland at Detroit on NBC/Peacock; April 1, 2027, Boston at Cleveland on Prime Video; April 7, 2027, Cleveland at San Antonio on ESPN; March 29, 2027, Miami at Cleveland on Peacock; and February 26, 2027, Cleveland at Boston on ESPN.
For fans who prefer not to pay for access, 15 games will be simulcast over-the-air. While some may call this free, the only truly free method is using an antenna to pick up local signals; otherwise, viewers need a cable or satellite package that includes WUAB (Channel 43) and WOIO (CBS Channel 19). The over-the-air schedule includes: October 26, Minnesota at Cleveland, 7 p.m. (WUAB); October 29, Cleveland at Atlanta, 7 p.m. (WUAB); November 2, Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 7 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); November 14, Dallas at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); December 12, Golden State at Cleveland, 8 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); December 18, Cleveland at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); December 23, Cleveland at Washington, 7 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); January 2, 2027, Cleveland at Charlotte, 1 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); January 23, 2027, Cleveland at Dallas, 8 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); January 29, 2027, Cleveland at Toronto, 7 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); February 6, 2027, Orlando at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); February 14, 2027, Phoenix at Cleveland, 1 p.m. (WOIO-CBS); March 9, 2027, Cleveland at Detroit, 8 p.m. (WOIO-CBS or WUAB); March 14, 2027, Cleveland at Sacramento, 6 p.m. (WOIO-CBS or WUAB); and Sunday, April 4, 2027, Charlotte at Cleveland, 3 p.m. (WOIO-CBS or WUAB).
Key Analysis
The scattered broadcast rights for the Cavaliers illustrate a broader trend in professional sports: the shift away from regional sports networks toward a mix of streaming services, national platforms, and local over-the-air stations. This fragmentation offers fans more choices but also requires them to juggle multiple subscriptions and schedules. DAZN's entry into the NBA market, fueled by the struggles of traditional RSNs, signals a changing landscape where tech-forward platforms vie for live sports content. For Cleveland supporters, the key is to plan ahead and determine which combination of services best fits their viewing habits and budget.
Originally reported by yahoo.