Major sporting league to be shown on free-to-air TV after BBC strike huge deal to secure broadcasting rights

BASKETBALL fans will be able to watch the NBA on free-to-air TV from this week.

The BBC have struck a deal to secure broadcasting rights for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.

AP

The BBC have struck a deal to show live NBA coverage for the remainder of the season[/caption]

An agreement is in place to show five regular season matches live along with an additional four play-off and finals games.

Coverage will see the action shown live on BBC One, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.

Fans can get their NBA fix as early as this Friday, with the clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Centre in Philadelphia.

Interim director of BBC Sport Philip Bernie explained: “Last year we brought live, free-to-air NBA games to our audience.

“This year we now have some of the biggest games of the season, showcasing the NBA’s brightest stars, and fans can also keep across the action on our website and app.”

Meanwhile, NBA Europe and Middle East vice president, Global Media Distribution, Bastien Lacheny said: “We are excited to bring NBA basketball back to the BBC.

“Fans in the UK will be able watch live action across BBC platforms as part of our commitment to making NBA games and programming available to our passionate fans on the devices and platforms they use most.”

The BBC struck a similar broadcast deal in March 2023 to show matches live for the rest of the previous season.

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So far in the current campaign, coverage has been limited to TNT Sports.

The broadcaster announced a multi-year agreement with the NBA in October, with TNT Sports showing over 250 live matches in the UK and Ireland.

This year’s regular season is set to run until April 14 before the play-offs are held through April, May and June.

The 2024 NBA finals are currently scheduled to get underway on June 6.