Extending its tie-up with Walt Disney Co’s ABC and ESPN television networks and Time Warner’s TNT, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has inked new set of deals, which enable the broadcasters to air the league games for another eight years.
All three networks had a six-year deal with NBA which comes to an end later this year and the broadcasters were naturally eager to renew the contracts. The new contracts also give them the right to distribute matches on cell phone and portals.
George Bodenheimer, co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, believes the deal would help his company to reach out to new audience via digital platforms.
He said
What you are seeing is the movement of the rights to follow the fan and to enhance the fan experience for those who want to experience it all.
While the broadcasters got the right they wanted, NBA TV — the association’s own network - will show 96 regular season games and nine playoff matches.
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