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DirecTV Expands Gulf Coast Sports Network to Satellite, Streaming, and Verizon's U-Verse

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 5:28 GMT by WAFB

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DirecTV Expands Gulf Coast Sports Entertainment Network Across Satellite, Streaming, U‑Verse – Launching Pelicans 2025‑26 Season Coverage

On October 17, 2025, DirecTV announced a major expansion of its Gulf Coast Sports Entertainment Network (GCSEN), a regional hub that has long served fans of high‑school, college, and community‑level athletics in the Gulf Coast. The company is now making GCSEN available not only on its traditional satellite platform but also through its streaming service and Verizon’s U‑Verse platform, effectively broadening the network’s reach to include nearly every subscriber in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. In tandem with the rollout, GCSEN will be offering comprehensive coverage of the New Orleans Pelicans 2025‑26 season, a first for the network and a major draw for local sports enthusiasts.

What GCSEN Is and Why It Matters

GCSEN has been the go‑to source for Gulf Coast sports since its inception in the early 2000s. The network provides live broadcasts of high‑school football and basketball, college matches from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, and coverage of community‑level events such as youth soccer and baseball tournaments. “The Gulf Coast is a hotbed of athletic talent, and GCSEN has always striven to bring that excitement straight to the living room,” explained John McCarthy, Director of Regional Sports at DirecTV. “With this expansion, we’re taking that mission to the next level, making sure no fan misses a game.”

The network’s content is tailored to the region’s unique sports culture: it features in‑depth interviews with coaches, former players, and local legends, alongside real‑time statistics and interactive fan polls. In addition, GCSEN has built a reputation for strong community engagement, hosting fan‑meetings and providing a platform for local athletes to showcase their talents to a broader audience.

The Expansion: Satellite, Streaming, and U‑Verse

Satellite

For DirecTV’s satellite subscribers, GCSEN will become part of the “Sports Plus” package, available on Channel 101 in the Gulf Coast markets. The channel will air a continuous feed of live games, replays, and a weekly “Gulf Coast Highlights” show that runs from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time. Subscribers can also access on‑demand content through DirecTV’s “Watch on Demand” portal, where they can re‑watch key matchups or catch up on missed games.

Streaming

The streaming expansion is arguably the most significant, given the current shift toward digital consumption. GCSEN will appear on DirecTV’s streaming platform, “DirecTV Now,” as a dedicated sports channel. Subscribers can stream live games, replays, and special events from any device with an internet connection—smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, or PCs. In addition to live coverage, DirecTV will launch a new “GCSEN App” that provides real‑time scores, player stats, and a personalized watchlist. “Streaming gives us the flexibility to reach the younger demographic that prefers to consume sports content on the go,” said Maria Lopez, Director of Digital Services at DirecTV.

U‑Verse

Verizon’s U‑Verse platform, which blends cable, satellite, and streaming services, will carry GCSEN as part of its “Sports Hub” offering. U‑Verse subscribers in the Gulf Coast will be able to watch GCSEN on Channel 12, a channel that previously featured local sports programming. With the addition of GCSEN, the Sports Hub will also include a dedicated “Pelicans 2025‑26 Season” slot that runs nightly from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. local time.

Pelicans 2025‑26 Season Coverage

The partnership with the New Orleans Pelicans marks a historic first for GCSEN. While GCSEN has traditionally focused on amateur and collegiate athletics, the network’s partnership with the Pelicans will provide a professional NBA perspective, including pre‑game analysis, post‑game interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes content. The Pelicans’ 2025‑26 season will begin on October 28, 2025, and the coverage will extend through the playoffs.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Pelicans’ excitement to GCSEN viewers,” said Jason White, GM of the New Orleans Pelicans. “The Gulf Coast is a critical market for us, and having a dedicated platform that covers the entire season—everything from the preseason to the NBA Finals—will help strengthen our fan base and bring new fans to the game.”

The Pelicans segment will feature:

• Pre‑Game Show: A 30‑minute live broadcast featuring analyst commentary and team updates.
• Live Games: Live broadcast of all Pelicans home games, with a second‑screen experience for commentary and player stats.
• Post‑Game Analysis: A 15‑minute recap that highlights key plays, player performance metrics, and coach interviews.
• Behind‑The‑Scenes: Exclusive access to training camps, locker room talks, and community outreach events.

In addition to the primary broadcast, DirecTV will make the Pelicans’ games available on demand through the “DirecTV Now” app, allowing viewers to watch games at their convenience.

Community Impact and Future Plans

The expansion is poised to have a ripple effect on the Gulf Coast sports community. By integrating professional NBA coverage with local high‑school and college programming, GCSEN offers a continuous sports narrative that spans from grassroots to the big league. The network also plans to partner with local schools to provide students with a platform to showcase their athletic achievements, as well as with community organizations to host sports clinics and charity events.

Looking ahead, DirecTV and GCSEN are exploring the addition of a “Live Studio” that will serve as a central hub for sports talk shows, interviews, and fan interaction. “We’re constantly looking for ways to make sports more engaging for our viewers,” noted McCarthy. “Our next steps involve expanding our production capabilities and leveraging analytics to provide deeper insights into the games we broadcast.”

Links for Further Exploration

• GCSEN Official Site – [ www.gcsen.com ] – Provides schedules, live streams, and news updates on Gulf Coast sports.
• DirecTV Newsroom – GCSEN Expansion Press Release – [ directv.com/newsroom ] – Detailed overview of the partnership and technical rollout.
• New Orleans Pelicans – [ nba.com/pelicans ] – Team page with rosters, schedules, and ticketing information.

Conclusion

DirecTV’s expansion of Gulf Coast Sports Entertainment Network across satellite, streaming, and U‑Verse is a strategic move that underscores the company’s commitment to local sports and community engagement. By adding comprehensive coverage of the Pelicans 2025‑26 season, the network will provide Gulf Coast fans with a unique blend of local passion and professional excitement, ensuring that whether it’s a high‑school showdown or an NBA championship, the game is always within reach. With the rollout set to begin in late October, fans across the Gulf Coast are poised to experience sports like never before—live, on‑demand, and right at their fingertips.