So far in 2024 ten cable TV and OTA networks have shut down and have not been replaced. This comes as pressure continues to grow on cable TV networks to find new ways to be profitable and, increasingly, that means showing sports.
Even more networks have been rebranded with TruTV being one of the best examples. This year Warner Bros. Discovery has shifted it entertainment-focused TV network to be one that focuses on sports. This change is far from over as this fall TruTV will turn even more into a sports network.
Starting this fall, TruTV will feature a nightly slate of live sports events, including exclusive games from the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament and MotoGP races. The channel will also offer alternative broadcasts of NBA, MLB, and NHL games originally aired on TNT and TBS, enhancing the viewing experience with unique perspectives and commentary. This move aligns with the growing trend of alternative telecasts, popularized by ESPN’s “Manningcast” and Amazon’s “Dude Perfect” broadcasts, which aim to attract younger, tech-savvy audiences to traditional sports broadcasts.
Read on for more about the networks that have shutdown so far in 2024 and not been replaced.
NASA TV
NASA’s free streaming service, NASA+, lifted off late last year, and now, to focus on its streaming service, NASA will be shutting down its cable networks on August 26, 2024. NASA announced this move in July but only stated it would happen in August, now Cord Cutters News can confirm that on August 26, 2024, NASA’s cable TV network will shut down.
NASA TV first launched in 1980 and has been the go-to channel for all things NASA. Now you will need to download the NASA+ app to watch NASA’s live fee and on-demand programs.
The NASA+ service replaced NASA’s older free stream with new content, a fresh look, and its first on-demand streaming selection. You can find it on the NASA+ website HERE.
Texas Longhorn Cable TV Network
This year marks the end of the Longhorn Network. A 24/7 cable TV network dedicated to all things Texas sports has now shutdown. The $300 million venture from ESPN and University of Texas at Austin will move to ESPN’s SEC Network in tandem with Texas joining the Southeastern Conference.
With this news, though, fans of Texas sports will still get programming dedicated to them as a part of a new streaming channel that will be launching to offer free 24/7 coverage of Texas sports. This free streaming service will be a far cry from what was once seen as the future of sports TV with channels dedicated to popular teams. So far that has not become a reality.
7 Different Pac-12 Networks
The Pac-12 network’s time is now up, with the Pac-12 Conference losing all but two teams this year—all seven of its Pac-12 networks have now shut down.
This lines up with earlier announcements that layoffs at the network would continue through June 28, according to the report, and include broadcast engineers, directors, an on-air host and senior producer, and multiple senior-level roles. The final live broadcast of the network happened in July.
The cuts and network shutdowns come as the Pac-12, one of the most storied conferences in college sports, disintegrates with most of the schools having defected. As of today, Washington State and Oregon State are the only two teams not moving to the ACC, Big 10, or Big 12 this summer.
The network has struggled since it launched in 2012, never finding widespread distribution, which hampered its goal to be the go-to source for Pac-12 fans.
This is not the end…
It is very likely even more cable TV networks will shut down in 2024 and beyond. We have put together a list of networks we think are most likely to be at risk of shutting down HERE.