SBS doubles up NBL coverage

After a successful partnership with the NBL in the 2016/17 season, SBS have doubled its coverage, broadcasting Saturday and Sunday games in HD across SBS and SBS VICELAND, with live streaming and catch up on SBS On Demand.

SBS Director of Sport, Ken Shipp said the network was keen to capitalise on basketball’s growth in Australia.

“Basketball is booming and has become the second highest participation sport in Australia,” Shipp said.

“It’s the kind of sport which can bring together diverse communities through a shared common passion.

“We are excited to be back in partnership with the NBL and to be bringing basketball free-to-air to all Australians on SBS. This increased coverage demonstrates SBS’s continued dedication to building the profile of, and love for homegrown domestic sport in Australia.”

NBL Chief Executive Jeremy Loeliger believes the NBL’s partnership with a free-to-air network like SBS is crucial in expanding basketball’s national exposure.

“SBS’s decision to double its coverage is a strong endorsement of the league as it celebrates its 40th season,” Loeliger said.

“We are particularly excited SBS will broadcast Saturday games at 5.30pm which we believe will be a hit with audiences along with Sunday games at 3pm and build further exposure of the NBL.”

SBS’s coverage of the NBL begins with round one clashes between the Sydney Kings versus Adelaide 36ers on Saturday October 7 at 5.30pm (AEDT) on SBS VICELAND, and New Zealand Breakers versus Cairns Taipans on Sunday October 8 at 3pm (AEDT) on SBS.

The start of the 2017/18 NBL season will coincide with landmark games involving Sydney Kings, Melbourne United and the Brisbane Bullets, in the NBA pre-season in October.

SBS’s LIVE coverage of the National Basketball League will be Saturdays 5.30pm (AEDT) on SBS VICELAND and Sundays 3pm (AEDT) on SBS, from October 7, with live streaming and catch up via SBS On Demand.