RESN: A New Era for Regional Sports in Ohio
The landscape of sports broadcasting in Ohio shifted significantly with the launch of the Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN). Announced on July 25, 2024, this over-the-air regional sports network is a strategic partnership between Gray Television and Dan Gilbert's Rock Entertainment Group. By utilizing broadcast television, RESN aims to bring local professional, collegiate, and high school athletics to a wider audience without the constraints of traditional cable subscriptions.
Key Facts
- Launch Date: Officially began broadcasting on August 23, 2024.
- Partnership: A joint venture between Gray Television and Rock Entertainment Group.
- Primary Focus: Over-the-air (OTA) delivery of regional sports in Ohio.
- First President: Michael Conley, appointed August 12, 2025.
- Key Teams: Includes Cleveland Monsters, Cleveland Charge, and Lake Erie Crushers.
Expanding the Reach of Local Athletics
RESN was designed to provide a dedicated home for a variety of sports. From its inception, the network committed to carrying the Cleveland Monsters (hockey), the Cleveland Charge (basketball), and the Lake Erie Crushers (minor league baseball). Additionally, the network emphasizes community athletics, featuring St. Edward Eagles high school football and various other high school and college sports coverage.
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The network's distribution strategy leverages multiple stations to ensure maximum coverage. RESN originates via WOHZ-CD and WTCL-LD (channel 6), and is available on a subchannel of WXIX-TV in Cincinnati. To further expand its footprint, RESN added WDEM-CD in Columbus on December 4, 2024, and WZCD-LD in Dayton by March 2025.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Broadcast Challenges
Despite the ownership connection between Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the NBA team was not part of the initial RESN rollout. This was due to an existing contract with FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (formerly Bally Sports Ohio), which runs through the 2024–25 season. The parent company, Diamond Sports (now Main Street Sports Group), has been navigating a prolonged Chapter 11 Bankruptcy reorganization.
The Cavaliers have expressed a desire to diversify their reach across multiple platforms, including linear television, over-the-top (OTT) streaming, mobile apps, and virtual reality headsets. This desire for broader accessibility was highlighted after FanDuel offered five Cavaliers games to Gray Television's WUAB during the 2023–24 season, following concerns over the cable network's audience reach.
Eventually, a compromise was reached. On January 21, 2025, WUAB and RESN announced they would simulcast five regular-season Cavaliers games in the second half of the 2024–25 season, using coverage provided by FanDuel.
Evolution of Programming and Partnerships
Since its inaugural broadcast—the St. Edward season opener against Pickerington North—RESN has steadily grown its portfolio. In October 2024, the network added John Carroll Blue Streaks football and men's basketball, followed by Columbus Fury volleyball matches on January 2, 2025. By May 2025, RESN secured an agreement to air fifteen Akron RubberDucks minor league baseball games.
A major shift occurred on September 1, 2025, when WUAB disaffiliated from The CW. Gray Television announced that WUAB would relaunch as a sports-oriented independent station. This new direction heavily features RESN play-by-play, including over-the-air simulcasts of Monsters and Charge games and other team-produced content.
| Category | Teams/Programs | Key Distribution Points |
|---|---|---|
| Professional/Minor League | Cleveland Monsters, Cleveland Charge, Lake Erie Crushers, Akron RubberDucks | WOHZ-CD, WTCL-LD, WUAB |
| Collegiate/High School | St. Edward Eagles, John Carroll Blue Streaks | RESN Primary Feed |
| Specialized Sports | Columbus Fury (Volleyball) | RESN Primary Feed |
| Major League Partnerships | Cleveland Cavaliers, Cincinnati Reds (select games) | WUAB, WXIX-DT3 (Simulcast with FanDuel) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RESN?
RESN, or the Rock Entertainment Sports Network, is an over-the-air regional sports network created as a joint venture between Gray Television and Rock Entertainment Group to broadcast local sports in Ohio.
Why weren't the Cleveland Cavaliers on RESN from the start?
The Cavaliers were bound by a contract with FanDuel Sports Network Ohio that runs through the 2024–25 season, preventing them from moving exclusively to RESN at launch.
Which stations carry RESN?
RESN is available via WOHZ-CD, WTCL-LD, WXIX-TV (Cincinnati), WDEM-CD (Columbus), and WZCD-LD (Dayton), with significant integration into WUAB.
Who is the president of RESN?
Michael Conley, an executive from Rock Entertainment Group who oversaw the network's launch, was named the first president of RESN on August 12, 2025.
What high school and college sports are featured?
The network features St. Edward Eagles high school football, as well as football and men's basketball games for the John Carroll Blue Streaks.