Network 10 named NBL free-to-air partner

The Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL) and Network 10 are pleased to announce a three-year partnership that will see the league return to 10’s free-to-air platforms.

The Network 10 deal completes the NBL’s historic media deal with ESPN, Foxtel, Kayo Sports and News Corp Australia announced last month.

Two games per week will be broadcast live on 10 Peach every Sunday in the 1pm-5pm timeslot, with those same games to also be broadcast live in HD on Network 10’s on demand service, 10 Play.

Regional NBL fans are also set to benefit from the deal, with the NBL to be shown in regional locations via Network 10’s affiliation with Southern Cross Austereo and WIN.

The deal positions Network 10 as your free-to-air television destination for NBL Sunday Hoops, which is set to be a marquee time slot this season.

Hungry Jack’s NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Network 10 back into the NBL family.

“Network 10 played a major role in the NBL’s booming popularity in the 1990s and we are thrilled to have them back on board to help take our league to the next level.

“Having Network 10 work alongside ESPN, Disney, Foxtel, Kayo Sports and News Corp Australia completes the biggest media deal in NBL history which will result in a huge uplift of coverage and exposure for the league.”

The addition of the 10 Peach games being streamed live and free in HD on 10 Play, as well as Kayo Freebies, will help drive streaming viewership numbers for the NBL, Network 10 and Kayo Sports.

Kestelman believes the completion of the NBL’s biggest ever media deal has cemented the league as a tier one sport in Australia ahead of what promises to be an exciting season.

“This season is shaping up as one of the best yet, notwithstanding the challenges ahead. It will be great to welcome back the numerous Australian Boomers Olympic bronze medallists returning to the NBL, while we also have new marquee signings and the inclusion of the Tasmania JackJumpers,” Kestelman said.

“These new media deals have established the NBL as a tier one sport in Australia and we can’t wait to keep growing the game of basketball.

“We are excited to have Network 10 as part of the NBL family for the next three seasons which gives our fans a consistent free-to-air home of the NBL.”

Adam Cush, Director of Sport Production, Network 10, said: “We are thrilled to welcome back the NBL to Network 10.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the NBL to take the sport to all Australians and broadcasting a fantastic season of the league, which also boasts several of the Australian Boomers Olympic bronze medallists.”

Kestelman also expressed his gratitude to SBS for their support of the NBL over the past two years.

“I want to thank SBS for a fantastic past two years as the free-to-air partner of the NBL. SBS invested in the sport and put their trust in us, and we couldn’t be more grateful for what was a terrific partnership,” Kestelman said.