Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Browns NFL playoff game will be on DirecTV, AT&T U-verse after all
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Local DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and AT&T U-verse customers will be able to watch the Cleveland Browns take on the Houston Texans in the opening game of the NFL Playoffs after all.
The satellite, cable and streaming provider and Tegna, the owner of WKYC Channel 3 and 63 other stations across the nation, announced Saturday that they have come to a new multi-year distribution agreement, ending a nearly two-month blackout. A Tegna spokesperson confirmed WKYC is being restored to the three DirecTV-owned services “as we speak.”
“DirecTV and Tegna greatly appreciate the patience of their subscribers and viewers,” the two companies said in a joint press release.
“We will continue to work with station owners and networks to align the price customers pay with the value they receive,” added a DirecTV spokesperson in a statement to Deadline.
The resolution was welcome news to Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who urged the chief executives of Tegna and AT&T to return to the negotiating table in a letter to the FCC earlier this week.
“Ohioans don’t care about contract disputes between TV executives – they want to be able to check the local weather, cheer on their favorite teams, and stay up to date on local news without disruption,” Brown wrote in a statement. “I am glad the parties came to their senses and ended this in time for the Browns to beat the Texans.”
Local DirecTV subscribers had not been able to watch WKYC, the Cleveland-area NBC affiliate, since Nov. 30 when the contract between the TV provider and Tegna expired. Both sides went back and forth, blaming the other for the impasse as it stretched on for nearly two months. Carriage disputes, which concern the fees that satellite, streaming and cable providers pay networks or station owners for the right to carry programming on their distribution platforms, have become increasingly common in recent years.
The situation caused much consternation among some local Browns fans when it was announced that the team’s opening-round playoff game — its first postseason contest in three years — would be broadcast on NBC. Fans and bars alike scrambled to find a way to watch the game, signing up for a free trial or short-term subscription to an alternative streaming service or purchasing an over-the-air antenna. Turns out, they didn’t have to.
The Browns and Texans kick off in Houston at 4:30 p.m. For viewers who don’t have access to NBC, the game will also be available on Peacock, NFL+ or in Spanish on Telemundo.
Cavs center Thomas Bryant thought he had the rookie, until he didn’t.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant learned the hard way that karma moves quicker than Donovan Mitchell in transition.
Bryant was on the wrong side of a replay after backing down Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel for a hook shot.
The journeyman center couldn’t resist an over-the-top celebration … so Bryant flexed his way downcourt, hitting the “too small” gesture at the 20-year-old. Then, gravity struck. Hard.
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 22: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket as Thomas Bryant #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays defense during the game on December 22, 2025 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Bryant tripped over thin air, barrel-rolling across the hardwood as he ran back on defense. The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse crowd went from cheers to raspberries … with the tumbling Bryant looking very small on the floor.
WATCH:
There’s no question Bryant wishes he were riding the same high that Kon has all season.
The rook is leading the Rookie of the Year race, averaging 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. While Bryant celebrated his layup against a smaller defender, Knueppel celebrated his 100th made three-point shot in just 29 games.
Social media roasted the big man for celebrating too early. “Ball don’t lie is undefeated. Don’t disrespect the opponent when you’re ‘Thomas Bryant,’” one fan posted on X.
The 6-foot-10 vet, who inked a deal with Cleveland this offseason to add some interior muscle, is not expected to do much from the limited scorer.
Go for the fist pump next time, pal.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
What: Charlotte Hornets (9-19) (3-11 away) at Cleveland Cavaliers (15-14) (9-8 home)
When: 7:00pm Eastern
Where: Rocket Arena; Cleveland, OH
How to watch: Peacock, FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass
Outfitting: Hornets–Statement (purple), Cavaliers–City (orange)
Game Lines: Hornets +9.5, Hornets money line +310, O/U 238.5
Injuries:
Hornets: LaMelo Ball-probable (wrist), Ryan Kalkbrenner-questionable (elbow), Collin Sexton-doubtful (quad), Grant Williams-out (knee)
Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell-probable (illness), Craig Porter Jr.-probable (illness), Sam Merrill-probable (hand), Evan Mobley-out (calf), Larry Nance Jr-out (calf), Max Strus-out (foot)
The Hornets are finally getting healthier (for now). LaMelo Ball clearly tweaked his wrist getting knocked over during a brutally physical game against the Pistons, but he seems to be no worse for the wear. Kalkbrenner apparently took a knock too, but he could still gut it out. Sexton probably isn’t playing, but the fact that he’s gone from out to doubtful means that he’s close. That leaves Grant Williams as the only remaining injured Hornet as he works back from the torn ACL he suffered last year. Knock on wood.
They should be feeling good about their chances tonight. They may have gotten drubbed by the Pistons, but they will remember that they beat this very seem Cavs team in this very same arena just eight days ago. Kon Knueppel led the way with 29 points while Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges chipped in decent games as well. And LaMelo didn’t even play. He’s only going to add to the offensive firepower.
The Cavs, meanwhile, played two games against the Bulls between that last meeting and now, and they lost them both by double digits. Both games followed roughly the same pattern. The Cavs were able to score just fine, but they had no answer for a Bulls offense that’s pretty mediocre. A Hornets team with LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel should have no problem scoring points. They’ll just need to keep Donovan Mitchell reasonably in check, and they have a chance to take another game in Cleveland.
Related
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (15-14) vs Charlotte Hornets (9-19)
Where: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH
When: Monday, Dec. 22 at 7:00 pm EST
TV: Peacock, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports App
Point spread: Not yet set
Cavs injury report: Donovan Mitchell – PROBABLE (illness), Sam Merrill – PROBABLE (hand), Craig Porter Jr. – PROBABLE (illness), Evan Mobley – OUT (calf), Larry Nance Jr. – OUT (calf), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Chris Livingston – OUT (G League), Luke Travers – OUT (G League)
Hornets injury report: LaMelo Ball – PROBABLE (WRIST), Ryan Kalkbrenner – QUESTIONABLE (elbow), Liam McNeeley – OUT (G League), Drew Peterson – OUT (G League), Antonio Reeves – OUT (G League), Collin Sexton – DOUBTFUL (quad), Grant Williams – OUT (knee)
Cavs expected starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen
Hornets expected starting lineup: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Kneuppel, Miles Bridges, Ryan Kalkbrenner
Previous matchup: The Cavs lost in overtime to the Hornets on Dec. 14.
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