D.C. United have announced a broadcast partnership with cable news channel WJLA 24/7 News (formerly NewsChannel 8) for the 2020 MLS Season. Owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, and sister station to ABC7, WJLA 24/7 News was previously the exclusive broadcast partner for the Black-and-Red for the 2016 through 2018 seasons.
As part of the partnership, all D.C. United matches will be broadcast locally and in HD on WJLA 24/7 News. The only matches excluded from the deal will be those already scheduled to be televised nationally through MLS. Legendary D.C. United voice Dave Johnson will return as the play-by-play announcer in addition to Devon McTavish and Claudia Pagán. Every match will include a pre- and post-game show in addition to providing ABC7 and WJLA 24/7 News behind-the-scenes access and exclusive interviews with players and coaching staff.
WJLA 24/7 News can be seen on the following channels:
- Comcast: 808 HD | 28 SD
- Cox: 1008 HD | 8 SD
- DirecTV: 8
- Dish Network: 8
- FiOS: 508 HD | 8 SD
- Open Band: 8 SD
- RCN: 608 HD | 308 SD
- U.S. Capitol: 48 SD (20510 & 20515 only)
“This is an exciting and important day for D.C. United as we announce a deal that will provide unprecedented access to the team for our loyal fans and bar partners in addition to all D.C. Metro sports fans in general,” Andy Bush, Chief Business Officer, said. “As we celebrate our 25th year in MLS, this announcement accompanied by the players we’ve added to our roster this offseason and the enhancements we’ve made to our home at Audi Field, we are excited about the momentum behind this organization headed into the 2020 season.”
“We are thrilled to partner with D.C. United to bring the games back home where they belong on WJLA 24/7 News,” said ABC7 & WJLA 24/7 News Vice President and General Manager Michael Miller. “It’s an exciting time for sports teams in our region, and we can’t wait to showcase the team’s trek towards another championship trophy for Washington sports fans!”
About Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Sinclair is a diversified media company and leading provider of local sports and news. The Company owns and/or operates 23 regional sports network brands; owns, operates and/or provides services to 191 television stations in 89 markets; is a leading local news provider in the country; owns multiple national networks, and has TV stations affiliated with all the major broadcast networks. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple-platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital platforms. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.
About D.C. United
One of the founding clubs of Major League Soccer in 1996, D.C. United are one of the most decorated teams in the United States with 13 domestic and international trophies. The Black-and-Red have won the MLS Cup four times (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004), the Supporters’ Shield four times (1997, 1999, 2006 and 2007) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup three times (1996, 2008 and 2013). United have called the District home for the past 24 seasons and continued that tradition when they moved into their new state-of-the-art and soccer-specific stadium at Audi Field in Southwest D.C. in July 2018.
