Magic Fans Will Need To Adjust To A New TV Reality

The Orlando Magic unveil a new broadcasting alliance with Cox Media Group, promising enhanced fan access and local engagement starting in 2026.

The Orlando Magic are changing the way fans will find their games next season, with a new television partnership that gives the team a fresh over-the-air home.

Cox Media Group will carry Magic broadcasts on WRDQ-TV 27 and WFTV-Channel 9 for the 2026-27 season, the team announced Wednesday. WRDQ-TV 27 is set to show most of Orlando’s regular-season games, with national broadcasts excluded, while a smaller number of games will air on Channel 9.

The move gives the Magic a new setup after last season’s arrangement with FanDuel Sports Network, WESH 2 and CW 18.

“We are excited to partner with the Cox Media Group to serve as our over-the-air partner for live games, replays, pregame and postgame coverage, and original programming,” Magic president of business operations Charlie Freeman said in a statement. “WRDQ TV 27 and WFTV Channel 9 will provide Magic fans great access, strong consistency and a direct connection to the team all season long.”

WFTV/WRDQ vice president and general manager Darren Moore also pointed to the reach of the new partnership.

“We are excited for this partnership, which will make Magic basketball even more accessible to fans throughout Central Florida,” Moore said in a statement. “Combining the brands of Central Florida’s news leader and the Orlando Magic together will foster a commitment to delivering high-quality local sports programming and creating new avenues for fans to connect with the team.”

The broadcast crew will feature Dante Marchitelli as the full-time play-by-play voice, with former Magic forward Jeff Turner handling analysis and Kendra Douglas serving as team reporter.

The team said a full station lineup and broadcast schedule will be announced later.

The Magic are also working toward a direct-to-consumer streaming partnership in the near future.

In Other News...

Sean Sweeney Puts The Magics Biggest Problem Front And Center

Last season left the Magic with a clear problem to solve, and Sean Sweeney wasted little time naming it. Orlando finished 18th in offensive rating and had trouble producing consistent field-goal and three-point accuracy, the sort of numbers that can hold back even a team with real defensive teeth. In his introductory press conference, the new head coach framed the fix in practical terms: better efficiency, better spacing and more discipline on that end of the floor.

Now the challenge is turning that message into something the roster can actually carry out. The Magic still expect to lean on Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs as the core of that shift, with the hope that a cleaner attack can complement what has already made them difficult to play against. The idea is straightforward enough, but for Orlando it is also the difference between being a stubborn out team and becoming a more complete one. [Read more 🡒]

Magic Schedule Reveal Comes With A Few Must-See Storylines

The full 2026-27 NBA schedule is set to arrive this week, with Orlandos release coming Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, and it figures to be one of those calendar drops that immediately sends fans hunting for the circled dates. The Magic are coming into the season with a few built-in hooks, from their matchups with the Detroit Pistons to a favorable NBA Cup group that could make the in-season tournament path a little more interesting than usual.

There is also the simple matter of star power, and the leagues recent trades should only add to the list of must-see nights in Orlando. Visits from Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard should be more likely now, while the arrival of No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa in the division with Washington gives the Magic another high-profile opponent to track on the home slate. It all adds up to a schedule release that is about more than dates and times, because the first glimpse of the season also hints at which nights could carry the most weight. [Read more 🡒]