Basketball Australia Expand WNBL Broadcast Deal with ABC TV

Basketball Australia today announced they have enhanced WNBL’s long-standing partnership with ABC TV.

The new deal will see live game coverage on the ABC’s Grandstand website every Friday nigh, delayed game broadcasts shown on ABC’s main free-to-air TV channel ABC1 – at the improved time slot of 4:00PM on Saturday afternoon and all finals will be live and in full also on ABC’s free-to-air TV channel ABC 1.

Also games on-demand through ABC’s popular catch up channel iView for up to 14 days after broadcast;

The delayed game broadcasts will replay full WNBL games with stoppages removed.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Kristina Keneally said the new agreement would make it easier for fans to access WNBL games throughout the 2012/13 season – which tips off on October 5.

“This is about giving fans more opportunities to see WNBL games, and more choice on how they do so,” Ms Keneally said.

“Fans who can’t physically make it down to a game can still watch a live WNBL game every Friday night through ABC’s Grandstand portal; catch the delayed coverage on free-to air TV at the far more convenient timeslot of 4:00PM Saturday; or watch it anytime on ABC TV’s catch up service iView.

“We go into the 2012/13 WNBL season buoyed by the remarkable performances of the Jayco Australian Opals at this year’s London Olympic Games.

“We’re thrilled to have eight of our 12 Olympians – including international superstar Lauren Jackson – returning to our shores for the WNBL this season, which is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

“We’re also pleased to be continuing our partnership with the ABC – which is one of the longest running broadcast partnerships in Australian sport after 33 consecutive years.

“That partnership has been integral in building the WNBL into the only truly national women’s professional sporting competition in Australia.”

ABC TV Head of Sport and Events Justin Holdforth said: “This is a significant moment in ABC TV’s continued commitment to women’s sport.

“The WNBL is an elite competition that deserves to reach as many Australians as possible.  We look forward to this new, more flexible broadcast arrangement for delivering that audience.”