NBA TV, jointly managed by the National Basketball Association and Turner Sports, will be in 45 million homes this season, following the announcement of new carriage deals with three major distributors. The NBA season tips off Tuesday, October 27th, although that game will be on TNT.
The new multiyear agreements with Time Warner Cable, Cablevision Systems Corporation, and Dish Network will supplement recent affiliate deals with Comcast, Cox, DirecTV, and Verizon. NBA TV says that puts its distribution past 45 million households.
Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, and Dish Network also will continue to provide NBA League Pass, the league’s subscription package of up to 40 out-of-market live NBA games each week, to their customers. NBA TV and NBA League Pass are part of NBA Digital, the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This offering also includes NBA.com, NBA League Pass Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com, and WNBA.com.
“We are pleased to announce that our new agreements with Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, and Dish Network will bring NBA TV to 45 million U.S. homes. NBA TV remains the ultimate basketball destination, and we’re excited to welcome the millions of new fans who will be able to experience the network’s original programming, live games, and Emmy award-winning on-air talent,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Adam Silver.
NBA TV offers more than 100 live NBA games, original programming, and signature studio shows. The network’s lineup of signature shows includes Tuesday’s “Fan Night,” which provides live studio programming around weekly matchup(s) that fans select through a vote on NBA.com. NBA TV also features a marquee roster of on-air talent, including Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, former NBA All-Star Chris Webber, former NBA greats Steve Smith and Eric Snow, and Emmy award-winners Ahmad Rashad and Ernie Johnson.
The 2009-10 season will tip off on Tuesday, October 27 on TNT, when the last two NBA champions take the court. The 2008 champion Boston Celtics will battle perennial Eastern Conference contenders, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the first game at 7:30 pm ET. In the nightcap, the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers host their upstart, in-town rival Los Angeles Clippers.
