NBA viewership grows despite RSN troubles as league banks on future deals
1 year, 10 months ago

NBA viewership grows despite RSN troubles as league banks on future deals

New York Times  

The NBA’s scoring is up and its storylines are compelling, fueling enormous social media growth and helping keep TV ratings flat in an era of dwindling television usage. The league’s national games on ABC, ESPN and TNT are averaging 1.6 million viewers, which the NBA said is up 1 percent over last season, per Nielsen data. NBA games on Christmas Day averaged 4.31 million viewers on ABC and ESPN — a 5 percent year-over-year gain despite having to compete with three NFL games. Local struggles At the local level, where most of the league’s live game inventory is delivered to viewers through a handful of regional sports networks, aggregate RSN viewership is down 5 percent, but the share of people watching NBA games via an RSN is up 15 percent over last season. Oddly, the league’s 16 teams that have local TV deals through Sinclair’s Diamond Sports Group channels — the Bally Sports-branded RSNs that are on the brink of bankruptcy — are collectively up nearly 20 percent in year-over-year viewership, per the league.

Social Media Games Rights Disney Deals Billion Nfl Million League Nba Espn Tnt Nbc Last Season Bally Sports Diamond Tv Streaming Nielsen Diamond Sports Nba Games Live Sports Viewership Rsn Linear Tv  billion  deals  tv  streaming  league  viewership  rsn  future  grows  troubles  despite  rights  games  million  nba  banks

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NBA releases 2024-25 season schedule: Knicks vs. Celtics, Timberwolves vs. Lakers to play opening night
4 months, 1 week ago

NBA releases 2024-25 season schedule: Knicks vs. Celtics, Timberwolves vs. Lakers to play opening night

New York Times  

Although NBA action is still months away, the league released the full schedule for the 2024-25 season. The first five days of the 2024-25 regular season will feature 11 national television games as part of @Kia NBA Tip-Off 2024, with two doubleheaders each on @NBAonTNT and @ESPNNBA and a tripleheader on @NBATV. How NBA scheduling process works Here’s how the …

NBA agrees to terms on a record 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal, AP source says
5 months, 1 week ago

NBA agrees to terms on a record 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal, AP source says

Associated Press  

The NBA has agreed to terms on its new media deals, a record 11-year agreement worth $76 billion that would assure player salaries will continue rising for the foreseeable future and one that will surely change how some viewers access the game for years to come. NBC — whose deal is expected to be $2.5 billion per season — would …

How the NBA’s next TV deal could disrupt the media landscape
7 months, 3 weeks ago

How the NBA’s next TV deal could disrupt the media landscape

LA Times  

It’s a good time to be in the sports business, and no one knows that better than the NBA. The ongoing talks also could result in the loss of an NBA TV package for Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT, which has made the league a cornerstone of its programming for more than three decades. If Comcast lands the NBA, NBC could …

What’s next for NBA teams and fans with regional sports networks?
1 year, 9 months ago

What’s next for NBA teams and fans with regional sports networks?

New York Times  

The NBA has not been untouched by the recent turmoil that has hit regional sports networks across the country. “Diamond’s bankruptcy filing was expected and we remain committed to ensuring that NBA fans in the markets served by Bally Sports have continued access to all local games,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said. “No change in the way that Jazz fans …

RSN armageddon? What fans can expect as likely Bally Sports bankruptcy looms
1 year, 9 months ago

RSN armageddon? What fans can expect as likely Bally Sports bankruptcy looms

New York Times  

Bankruptcy, media giants walking away from team contracts, leagues scrambling to throw liferafts. Diamond Sports, the company that owns the Bally Sports Regional Network, which carries 14 MLB teams, 16 in the NBA, and 14 NHL squads on 19 RSNs, will likely file for bankruptcy protection this week. Meanwhile, Warner Brothers Discovery said in a statement it will walk away …

MLB, NBA criticize Sinclair as streaming regional sports network reality inches forward
3 years, 2 months ago

MLB, NBA criticize Sinclair as streaming regional sports network reality inches forward

New York Times  

Fans of MLB, NHL and NBA teams have long clamored for a streaming option to complement the games offered through regional sports networks. “They paid $10 billion, it’s not clear, it’s a good deal with $5 billion,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday at the World Congress of Sports. I mean, we’re seeing now an issue that’s very topical at …

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