If you thought getting the NBL on free-to-air TV was important 12 months ago, it’s something else for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
With popularity of basketball at what seems to be an all-time high after the Rio Olympics, Australian NBA players in the headlines and a relatively successful NBL season last time around, getting the free-to-air exposure is a must, but it has to be done in the right way.
There is no way much of the season will be shown on free-to-air given Fox Sports has the contract to broadcast cover every game live, but it must be hoped a deal similar to last season could be worked out.
Last season’s deal saw the Nine Network pick up one game a week to be broadcast on Gem. That turned out to be the Sunday afternoon timeslot, which unfortunately meant only nine games per week would be broadcast.
With a real basketball renaissance on the cards, the NBL must find a way to get Fox Sports onside and broadcast at least one, if not more live games into the free-to-air TV market, which will increase the exposure of local basketball massively.
Fox Sports ratings were not all that fantastic last year, despite increased crowds and the talent and quality of the league which was on display night in and night out. You would have to think that on-selling a game or two in the same simulcasting format wouldn’t be the worst thing.
Before working out what a deal with one of the networks and NBL could entail, it’s actually worth noting Fox could make money out of it with a network picking up a game or two per week, but more subscribers as well.
Fox is a trove of sport, and with the NBA also being broadcast more than ever before this coming season, the bonus of being able to see NBL and wanting more could entice people onto the pay-TV network.
The NBL schedule has actually worked itself perfectly for a free-to-air TV deal.
While Fox won’t want to give away too many numbers, they need to make the deal worth something for themselves – and for that reason giving away a weekend game isn’t the smartest option.
However, Thursday night’s games seem to be the ideal option, maybe in tandem with Monday night games. They are the two timeslots that would bring in the biggest ratings numbers without a doubt, but also the most exposure for Australia’s domestic league.
There is only one week in the whole season that misses Thursday night and there aren’t that many Monday nights meaning a free-to-air network would pick up somewhere in the vicinity of 25 games for the season.
That’s under a quarter of total games and not such a heavy burden on Fox, but something they could still make money and numbers from.
The whole promotion during the Thursday or indeed Monday games would need to centre around Fox and that people should subscribe if they want to see more great hoops over the weekend, but there is no harm in the added exposure this time slot would bring.
Unfortunately, the deal with Nine last year didn’t work all that well with the Sunday Afternoon slot often being match replays and seeming to be buried under a mountain of other TV programs.
While Thursday could be looked upon as ‘reality TV night’, sports fans would love something to watch – something they have during winter with the NRL, and the proof is right there that numbers will flow.
It would be the best time for exposure, and from a Fox Sports point of view, puts them in the best bargaining position possible.
The problem with a deal like this is being buried through the middle part of summer by more popular sports including the international cricket, BBL, and Australian tennis schedule, including the Aussie Open.
So while there would be a time through the middle of the season where ratings would be down and NBL would be on a backup channel, the rest of the season would make that all worth it really.
The other advantage, and game that could basically win the whole season for the NBL is the season opener, the Brisbane Bullets first game back in the league against the Perth Wildcats. On a Thursday night, that could rate incredibly highly.
Monday has also proven to be a popular time slot in the NRL for TV viewers, and seriously what else is there to do on a Monday night? It’s a recipe for success from an NBL, Fox Sports and free-to-air provider’s perspective.
The one question that still remains is who? Which network is best equipped to pick it up?
Each have other commitments throughout the summer and as mentioned it is about minimising time when it won’t be given maximum promotion.
That looks like it could play right into the hands of Channel Seven, who essentially lose January to tennis but have well equipped backup channels and streaming apps, plus Rio Olympics caller John Casey on the books.
Given the success they got through Rio basketball, it’s hard to see them not in the picture.
In saying that, the NBL needs to take whatever exposure it can get on commercial television and lock it in. Now.
The NBL is set for another cracking season and coverage on FTA TV would only cap off the build-up.
Roarers, what do you reckon? Will the NBL get back onto commercial television and if so, how and with who?
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
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