The Miami Heat television broadcast is undergoing a major transformation that will affect how South Florida fans watch both basketball and their favorite game shows. Starting this season, the Heat’s move to WPLG Local 10 means viewers will see schedule changes that push popular programs like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune to earlier time slots on game nights.
For decades, Miami’s Latin community has embraced the Heat as more than just a basketball team. The franchise represents the city’s passion, resilience, and championship culture. Now, as the team prepares for what promises to be an exciting season, fans need to know exactly how to catch every moment of the action on their local screens.
Heat Local 10 Broadcast Changes Explained
The Miami Heat TV schedule shift to WPLG Local 10 comes as a direct result of the dissolution of regional FanDuel sports networks. This change affects not just the Heat but teams across the NBA who previously relied on dedicated sports channels for their local broadcasts.
According to WPLG, when Heat games conflict with prime-time programming, the station will move its popular 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. game show block to afternoon hours. Specifically, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! will air between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on those evenings.
The schedule adjustments depend entirely on game start times. For weeknight Heat games beginning at 7 p.m., both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! shift to the afternoon. However, for the more common 7:30 p.m. home game starts, only Jeopardy! moves to 1:30 p.m. while Wheel of Fortune keeps its traditional 7 p.m. slot.
Pregame and Postgame Coverage Details
The transition to Local 10 brings significant changes to how the Heat present their game coverage. Due to the popularity of the game shows that have anchored WPLG’s evening schedule, only weekend broadcasts will feature full pregame shows.
For weekday games starting before 8:30 p.m., the station plans to incorporate Heat pregame content through brief inserts during commercial breaks of the game show airing just before tip-off. This approach balances the needs of longtime game show viewers with basketball fans eager for pre-game analysis.
Jason Jackson, a familiar voice to Heat fans, will host the WPLG pregame and postgame shows on weekends. Postgame coverage for weeknight games will be integrated into the Local 10 newscasts scheduled to follow most games.
“The initial plan from WPLG is to air Heat rebroadcasts at 1:30 a.m. after the conclusions of the live broadcasts.”
Broadcast Team Changes for the New Season
The shift in broadcast approach has prompted the Heat to restructure their on-air talent lineup. Amy Audibert, who previously served primarily as studio analyst and radio analyst alongside Jackson, takes on a new role for the Local 10 era.
Audibert will now work as a sideline analyst for the television broadcasts, joining the established duo of Eric Reid and John Crotty. This trio will call the action for Heat fans watching on Local 10 throughout the season.
For national broadcasts, Audibert will return to the radio side, working alongside Jackson. This flexibility allows the Heat to maximize their experienced broadcasting personnel across multiple platforms.
The changes also mean departures from the broadcast team. FanDuel sideline reporters and hosts Kelly Saco and Jeremy Tache will not return for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Local 10 sports anchor Will Manso moves into a more prominent role as television host.
South Florida Market Coverage Expansion
The Heat organization recognizes that its fanbase extends well beyond Miami-Dade County. The team plans to announce local over-the-air affiliates for both the Palm Beach market and the Fort Myers market in the coming weeks.
These markets were previously served by FanDuel Sports Sun for Heat game broadcasts. The new affiliate partnerships will ensure fans across South Florida can access live Heat games without needing cable subscriptions or streaming services.
Unlike the previous FanDuel arrangement, WPLG currently has no plans for next-day rebroadcasts of games. Fans who miss live action will need to catch the 1:30 a.m. replay or seek out highlights through other channels.
Read more: Miami Sports and Entertainment Guide 2026
Future NBA Broadcast Landscape
The current arrangement with WPLG may prove temporary. Industry expectations suggest the NBA will implement a more uniform national approach to regional broadcasts beginning with the 2027-28 season.
This potential shift could leave WPLG with a significantly smaller package of Heat games, similar to the limited schedule the station carried during its previous involvement with the team. For now, however, South Florida fans can enjoy expanded local coverage.
The evolving broadcast landscape reflects broader changes in how professional sports reach their audiences. Teams nationwide are adapting to the dissolution of regional sports networks by partnering with local affiliates and developing streaming alternatives.
Heat Roster Upgrades Generate Excitement
The broadcast changes come at an opportune time for Heat fans, as the team enters the season with significant roster improvements. The headline addition is Giannis Antetokounmpo, the former Milwaukee Bucks superstar who brings MVP-caliber talent to Miami.
Joining Antetokounmpo are sharpshooter Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr., among other additions to the roster coached by Erik Spoelstra. This upgraded squad has fans throughout Miami’s Latin community buzzing with championship expectations.
The combination of elite new talent and returning core players positions the Heat as legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. Local 10 viewers will have front-row seats to watch this transformed roster compete.
Key Dates for Heat Season
Heat fans should mark several important dates on their calendars as the season approaches:
- September 29: Training camp opens
- October 3: Preseason opener against Toronto Raptors in Quebec City
- October 21: Regular season begins against Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center
The regular season opener marks the beginning of the franchise’s 39th season in Miami. With the revamped roster and new broadcast home, this season promises to be unlike any other in Heat history.
Your Guide to Watching Heat Games
For Miami’s dedicated basketball fans, adapting to the new broadcast schedule requires some planning. Game show enthusiasts who also follow the Heat may actually benefit from the arrangement, getting their puzzle-solving fix during lunch hours.
The move to over-the-air broadcasting through Local 10 means more accessibility for fans who had previously relied on cable subscriptions to watch FanDuel Sports Sun. A simple antenna can now provide access to Heat games throughout the Miami market.
The integration of postgame coverage into Local 10 newscasts offers another advantage. Fans can stay informed about other breaking news while getting their Heat analysis and highlights immediately following games.
When will Jeopardy! air on Heat game nights?
On nights when the Heat play at 7 p.m., Jeopardy! will air at 1:30 p.m. For games starting at 7:30 p.m., which includes most home games Monday through Thursday, Jeopardy! will also move to 1:30 p.m. while Wheel of Fortune keeps its regular 7 p.m. time slot.
Will there be Heat game replays on Local 10?
Yes, WPLG plans to air Heat rebroadcasts at 1:30 a.m. following the conclusion of live broadcasts. However, unlike the previous FanDuel arrangement, there are currently no plans for next-day rebroadcasts.
Who will call Heat games on Local 10?
The television broadcast team will feature Eric Reid and John Crotty calling the action, with Amy Audibert serving as sideline analyst. Jason Jackson will host weekend pregame and postgame shows.
The Miami Heat open their highly anticipated 39th regular season on October 21, 2026, against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center, giving fans just over a month to prepare for the new broadcast arrangement on WPLG Local 10.
