NBA TV signs for Comcast carriage

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Signing the biggest cable MSO is a big move for NBA TV, the cable start-up jointly managed by the league and Turner Sports. The deal to have Comcast carry the year-old network also includes VOD and broadband delivery of NBA content.


Comcast will make NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour digital television network, available to millions of Comcast’s Digital Classic customers before the 2009-10 NBA regular season. Additionally, customers will have access to a wide array of NBA content On Demand, including Top 10 Plays of the Night, nightly game recaps, major basketball news of the day, and NBA Entertainment-produced specials. Comcast will also offer NBA content on its online properties, including Comcast.net.

“We appreciate the commitment of our longtime and valued partner Comcast to expand NBA TV’s distribution and provide more of its customers with the network’s wall-to-wall NBA coverage and innovative programming. Through this agreement, millions of additional fans will be able to experience NBA TV’s more than 100 live NBA games, its signature studio shows and Emmy award-winning on-air talent,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Adam Silver. He should already be well acquainted with Comcast, since the company owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.

“We are excited to bring more NBA action live, on demand, and online to our Digital Classic customers. Whether a fan of the hometown team or one of the NBA’s incredible players, our customers will have access to all of the great NBA moments in time for next season,” said Matt Bond, Executive Vice President of Content Acquisition at Comcast Cable.

Comcast will continue to offer NBA League Pass, the league’s subscription package that provides subscribers with up to 40 out-of-market, live NBA games each week. As part of the package, subscribers will have access to NBA games online at no additional cost through NBA League Pass Broadband.

“This is a perfect marriage of two multiplatform strategies. Through this expanded agreement, NBA Digital and Comcast will deliver millions of fans the finest in NBA content via broadcast, VOD, and broadband distribution,” said NBA Digital Senior Vice President and General Manager Bryan Perez.

RBR/TVBR observation:
Why was it so much easier to get Comcast to carry NBA TV after it had battled for so long over terms with the NFL Network? Do the math. The NFL Network carries eight actual live games per year. NBA TV has more than 100.