The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), through SABC Sport announced an exciting multiyear television broadcast rights agreement with the National Basketball Association (NBA).  As part of the partnership, SABC Sport will air more than 35 games throughout the season, including a Christmas Day game, NBA All-Star Saturday Night, Conference Finals and The Finals, broadcast live or delayed, on SABC 1 and the SABC Sports Channel on the DTT, TelkomOne and Openview platforms. In addition, the SABC will host a weekly magazine show “NBA Action”, which covers the league’s news and highlights.

The first live broadcast will kick off with a pre-game live studio presentation at 22:30 on Saturday, 30 October at 23:00 SAST, followed by the inaugural live broadcast of the 75th Anniversary Season, where the Washington Wizards will host the Boston Celtics.

Due to the time difference between South Africa and the United States, the live or delayed broadcasts will start between 20h00 and midnight on the same Saturday on SABC 1 and the Sports Channel.

Gary Rathbone, SABC Sport General Manager, commented on the agreement saying: “SABC Sport is incredibly thrilled to add one of the world’s most exciting and respected leagues to its live sports offering, as we know that there is a sports audience which loves the game of basketball in Mzansi. In bringing this great global sporting spectacle to our viewers, the SABC will also be setting out to inspire and entertain a whole new generation of basketball fans all over the country. Exciting times for Mzansi sports fans, Fo’ Sho”.

On the other hand, Victor Williams, NBA Africa CEO, added: “We are thrilled to once again partner with SABC, beginning with our milestone 75th Anniversary Season.  Through this partnership we look forward to bringing the excitement of the NBA to more of our passionate fans in South Africa as part of our continued commitment of making basketball more accessible across the continent”.