NAB Show New York 2026 used a discussion on sports broadcasting to examine how media companies can retain broad audiences as viewing becomes increasingly distributed across platforms. The session, titled “Game On: The Power of Sports on Broadcast,” brought together Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, and Clay Travis, FOX Sports contributor and host of The Clay Travis Show.
The conversation focused on the continuing role of live sports as a shared viewing experience, along with the importance of making games straightforward and accessible for audiences. The participants also discussed younger viewers, the cultural role of fandom and the ways broadcasters can remain relevant as consumers encounter more choices for finding content.
Sports remain a large-scale live experience
According to the session summary, live sports retain an unusual ability to draw large and diverse audiences at the same time. That reach gives broadcasters an opportunity to create common cultural moments even as audiences for other forms of programming are increasingly divided among services, devices and platforms.
Travis described becoming a sports fan after watching the University of Tennessee play Miami in the Sugar Bowl on broadcast television at age 6. The experience was presented as an example of how widely available programming can shape long-term audience relationships with teams and competitions.
“What I’ve always said I love about sports is when your favorite team wins and you’re in a stadium or you’re in an arena … you do” — Clay Travis, FOX Sports contributor and host of The Clay Travis Show
Access and distribution remain central
The discussion identified audience access as a continuing concern for broadcasters. Fans increasingly expect simple and affordable ways to watch games, regardless of the platform carrying them. For younger viewers in particular, the availability of an event can influence whether an interest develops into a lasting connection with a team or sport.
For companies working across professional video, displays and content distribution, the points raised at the New York event reinforce the operational importance of delivering live programming across different viewing environments. The session did not present a single distribution model; instead, it described experimentation with formats and platforms alongside the broad reach associated with broadcast.
- Audience reach: Live sports were described as one of the remaining mass-market experiences capable of concentrating attention across communities.
- Viewer expectations: Fans want simple, affordable access to games across platforms.
- Broader broadcast value: Sports programming can support local news, weather and community coverage beyond the game itself.
Broadcast value extends beyond the game
The session also connected sports distribution with the wider role of local broadcasters. Sports can strengthen relationships with audiences that also rely on stations for news, weather and community programming. That broader connection was presented as an advantage that broadcasters can preserve while testing new delivery methods.
The discussion’s central message was that innovation in formats and platforms does not eliminate the value of accessibility. As media companies adjust to more fragmented viewing habits, the panel positioned live sports as both a major programming asset and a test of how effectively broadcasters can reach audiences without adding unnecessary complexity.
