Bucks put every game on free TV for first time in 31 years
The Milwaukee Bucks will put every locally available 2026-27 preseason and regular-season game on free over-the-air TV through MY24 and statewide affiliates, the team's first full free-TV season in 31 years. Suns Summer League coverage on MY24 starts with Vegas games July 12-15, before the full schedule arrives in August.
The Bucks announced the broadcast shift on Friday, July 10, as the franchise enters a new era on the court and on television. The move follows the closure of Main Street Sports, which operated the FanDuel Sports Wisconsin regional network that previously carried most Bucks games behind a pay-TV wall.
Key Takeaways
- All locally available Bucks preseason and regular-season games will air free on MY24 in Milwaukee and on statewide affiliates for 2026-27.
- It is the first time in 31 years that the full Bucks season will be available on over-the-air television.
- Summer League games begin on MY24 on July 12, including a July 13 matchup against the Phoenix Suns.
- Most major cable systems and YouTube TV will also carry games, with more streaming details coming later.
- The team is developing a direct-to-consumer streaming service, with pricing and launch details still to be announced.
Why are the Bucks moving to free over-the-air TV?
The change comes after Main Street Sports shut down its regional sports network operation, leaving Bucks fans without their longtime cable home. Partnering with Rincon Broadcasting Group puts games back on MY24, which first served as the Bucks' over-the-air home from 1988 to 1994.
Rincon Broadcasting Group CEO Kern Dant framed the deal as a homecoming. "We're excited to bring the Bucks back to MY24," Dant said. "This is more than a television partnership. It's the return of a Milwaukee tradition. Welcome home, Bucks fans."
Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Josh Glessing said the arrangement makes games easier to reach across Wisconsin. "This season marks an exciting return to our roots as we bring Bucks basketball back to full-season over-the-air television for the first time in more than three decades," Glessing said.
How can Bucks fans watch games without cable?
Viewers in the Milwaukee area can tune in over the air on MY24 for every locally televised Bucks game next season, including pregame, in-game, and postgame coverage. A statewide affiliate network is also planned, though the team said those station details will be announced later.
In recent seasons, only a limited number of Bucks games aired free on WMLW-TV. Next season, every game that is available for local distribution will be on over-the-air TV instead of a small free package.
For cord-cutters tracking streaming and TV alerts, the Bucks also confirmed that most major cable systems will carry broadcasts and that YouTube TV will offer games during the 2026-27 season. Full streaming options remain TBA.
When does MY24 start airing Bucks Summer League games?
Free over-the-air coverage does not wait until the regular season. MY24 will broadcast Bucks games from the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, starting Sunday, July 12, against the San Antonio Spurs at 8 p.m. CT.
The Suns Summer League meeting follows on Monday, July 13, at 9 p.m. CT when Milwaukee faces the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks close their Vegas run on Wednesday, July 15, against the Charlotte Hornets at 6:30 p.m. CT, also on MY24.
What happens to Bucks games on cable and streaming?
Cable and streaming are still part of the plan. Alongside MY24, the Bucks said most major cable systems and YouTube TV will carry games next season, with specific schedules to come. The team is also building a direct-to-consumer streaming service to expand access, but pricing and availability have not been announced.
The full 2026-27 Bucks schedule is expected in August. Last season's NBA schedule dropped on Aug. 14, so fans should watch for a similar release window next month. For official details, see the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report on the MY24 partnership.