More eyes than ever: NBL signs landmark TV deal on back of hugely successful season
The NBL is set to be watched by more people than ever before with the league launching a landmark TV rights deal, including the return of free-to-air marquee fixtures.
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More eyeballs than ever before will view a booming NBL competition after the league announced a bumper broadcast partnership believed to be worth upwards of $15 million next season, highlighted by a return to a free-to-air main channel for the first time in a decade.
In a bid to maintain momentum following a record-breaking 2023-24 season, the league has renewed its deal with ESPN and News Corp.
The NBL has also secured a new free-to-air deal with Channel 10, featuring matches on the main channel, including the marquee 2:30pm Sunday afternoon game. The deal is a one year rollover of the previous rights agreement encompassing the financial rise.
The league’s broadcast audience increased by 26 percent last season, off the back of a similar rise in 2023/2024.
The NBL has come off a landmark year for attendances with 40 sell-outs across the campaign, more than a million attendees at games for the first time in league history, and crowds increased by 11 percent.
NBL CEO David Stevenson expects that audience number to keep growing off the back of this new deal.
“We are thrilled to partner with organisations that share a strong passion for the NBL and basketball, and we have that with ESPN, Network 10 and News Corp Australia,” Stevenson said.
“Combined with ESPN’s extensive coverage, returning the NBL to a main free-to-air channel in HD on 10 is a huge step forward and means we will be seen by even more sports fans around the country.
“We want to thank Network 10 for having the confidence in the NBL and helping solidify our standing as a major player on the sporting landscape.
“News Corp Australia’s platform is the biggest news organisation in the country and provides the NBL with incredible coverage and we look forward to more stories being shared about the league, our clubs and players.
“This broadcast and media deal with ESPN, Network 10, and News Corp Australia is a major endorsement of the League’s rapid growth and growing stature on the sporting landscape.”
ESPN will continue to be the main broadcast partner, while games will continue to be aired via Kayo and Foxtel.
Michael Wilkins, Managing Director, News Sport Network, is committed to offering NBL fans a multi-layered coverage again in the 2024/25 season.
“We are thrilled to continue to provide the best coverage of basketball in the country on our platforms to our 13 million sports fans,” Wilkins said.
“We are also pleased to be able to continue to operate the official fantasy game of the NBL, SuperCoach NBL, which had a very strong start in its inaugural season.”
Under the League’s new broadcast deal, all games will be available on ESPN, Foxtel, Kayo Sports and Fetch TV.
ESPN will also continue to provide strong coverage for fans with weekly news and shows, including on digital channels.
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Originally published as More eyes than ever: NBL signs landmark TV deal on back of hugely successful season
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