NBA grows its global TV presence

This season, NBA games and programming will be televised in 212 countries in 42 languages via 151 different broadcasters, including agreements for the first time with REDE TV (Brazil), Anhui TV (China), Canal+ (Poland), LTV (Lithuania), First National TV (Belarus) and Imedi TV (Georgia). The league has also renewed deals with many long time international telecasters, including NHK (Japan), Sky Italia (Italy), NTV Plus (Russia), DSF (Germany), Premiere (Germany), Sport 5 (Israel) and IBC (Iceland). NBA TV, the 24-hour television network of the NBA, which launched internationally during the 2000-01 NBA season, will be distributed to a record number of fans overseas this season. New agreements in France and Russia will increase NBA TV’s distribution to 39 countries, including Spain, Israel, the Philippines, Turkey and throughout the Middle East. Significantly, the league has also expanded its reach in China this season. The NBA now reaches 314 million television households through TV partners China Central Television (CCTV) as well as a further 14 provincial TV stations. Much of the NBA's growing popularity outside of the US stems from a significant increase in the number of overseas players plying their trade in the league.