Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, the new group of local stations that will air the majority of Pelicans games this season , "officially went live" earlier this week, according to Christian Clark of the New Orleans ADVOCATE. The team's final preseason game on Oct. 15 will air "on free over-the-air TV in 13 different markets throughout the Gulf South.” The team "successfully fought to add two markets in Alabama -- Birmingham and Montgomery -- to their TV coverage area this summer.” The inclusion of those cities means the Pelicans can “reach a potential audience of 9.7 million viewers.” Growing the team into a regional brand has “been a point of emphasis under owner Gayle Benson.” Her investment arm, Benson Capital Partners, has holdings throughout the Gulf South and plans to “continue investing in markets the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network is established in.” Programming on the net includes pre- and postgame shows for the 75 Pelicans regular-season broadcasts, as well as HBCU football, historic SEC games, boxing, wrestling and poker. Former ESPN reporter Andrew Lopez, a New Orleans native, will serve as Pelicans sideline reporter, joining broadcasters Joel Meyers and Antonio Daniels. Former sideline reporter Jen Hale will be “heavily involved” with GCSEN as an "on-air host and as a producer behind the scenes” ( New Orleans ADVOCATE, 10/3 ).
PELICANS-VERSE : The Pelicans have partnered with could-based video company Kiswe to stream live games to direct-to-consumer audiences. The team’s exclusive streaming platform will be Pelicans-branded and limited to viewers inside the Pelicans coverage territory ( Pelicans ).
