For National Basketball Association fans in Central Florida, the Magic Kingdom expands beyond Walt Disney World, thanks to such individuals as Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner. Cox Media Group recognizes this, and thanks to its television partnership with the team is rebranding one of its two broadcast stations in the Orlando DMA in honor of the team.
As of next week, WRDQ-27 in Orlando will officially become “MagicTV 27,” a move that CMG says “transforms” the broadcast TV station “into a destination for live local sports, family-friendly entertainment,” and a secondary home for WFTV’s Channel 9 Eyewitness News.
The rebranding of WRDQ coincides with a fresh multi-year agreement with the Orlando Magic that makes WRDQ and WFTV the team’s exclusive broadcast partners — and it makes the Magic’s regular-season games accessible to all.
WFTV & WRDQ Sr. VP/General Manager Darren Moore comments, “MagicTV 27 represents much more than a new name. It reflects our commitment to delivering premium sports and entertainment programming that is accessible to everyone. By creating a brand closely aligned with one of Central Florida’s most beloved franchises, we’re building a destination that serves enthusiastic fans, viewers, and advertisers alike.”
WRDQ will air some 77 Orlando Magic regular-season games across the forthcoming season, in addition to home games from the Osceola Magic, the franchise’s NBA G League affiliate. The channel will also be the home of the ECHL minor league Orlando Solar Bears, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Eyewitness News broadcasts will be seen on WRDQ in the 10pm Eastern hour and between 4:30am-7am in simulcast with WFTV.
