Hoops

NBL TV: 5-year Fox deal, all games live in HD

Games will not be broadcast over multiple Fox Sports channels meaning the scheduling can only allow for one game at once (although for the few times in the schedule it clashes, perhaps they'll use the red button for viewer's choice?)

KET, those commentators sound horrible...

Cain't hear a lotta what TV Commentators are sayen
when court announcer yells out deefence over a mic
a hundred times.....I just get bored. Hard to watch a full game.

ha, you're right, terrible idea.

We could just capture and torrent every game....

Would be great if NBL negotiate with Foxtel so that any new subscribers - who mention NBL, get set up fees waived!

Now that's partnering!!

I don't see that there was much choice in the matter, either we have exposure and pay for part of it or we go back to the old way we did it!

At least now we have potential for decent exposure, isn't that what we all wanted and though the NBL needed?

Starting points like this can be a catalyst for building on everything, but we needed a starting point and we seem to have it now...

I think we need to acknowledge to commitment to show EVERY game live is HUGE. It's not like every game is played around the corner. This means FOZ sendign crews to Cairns and Townsville 114 - 15 times each. That in itself is huge!

Lets hope we get the Friday game is the one that gets on FTA - prime time for TV.

Re setting up for Foxtel - from what I can see its a minimum of $50/ month pus $10 per month to get in HD plus $10 - 15/ month for Foxtel "on the go" which is the streaming option - to see everygame, in HD, anywhwere.

Also from the same Roy Ward article:

"Loeliger said Fox Sports had always wanted to show all games live, but both parties had to work hard to find a way to share the costs....

"We had to find a way to make the numbers work, and while that may mean we have a little less cream to spread around the NBL, having all games live was better for everyone."

This doesn't seem to have been picked up upon by anyone. I wonder how much the NBL has had to chip in to get the coverage with Fox? Does "less cream" mean they won't have $$ to promote/market the NBL or TV coverage? If they have had to pay Foxtel part of the costs will they have to buy time on FTA to get the one live game shown?

Thanks for that link Train.

That's very good news to hear!!

Now the big question is when/if the league will announce a streaming partner?

Foxtel has a no-lock in deal at the moment that ends on 3 October. Season starts 7 October. Hopefully we'll know way before then!

The #hardball slogan was reported in the media as a depiction of Aussie basketball, I believe partially riding on the back of the way Delly played in the NBA finals, portraying tough and gritty play as our style.

This is a worry for me, I love tough and gritty, but I prefer this in a system of play based on intensity and an understanding that Aussies don't flop!

Now, the problem I have seen is this, the NBL has intensity, it has grit and it has toughness, but because we don't generally see open offensive play because of the heavy focus on defense and our officiating allows so much holding and illegal contact, unfortunately players have to flop to get a call.

So, what we generally see as a byproduct built up over recent years and probably don't like so much, is this perception by officials that players and spectators like to see basketball that is tough, physical and has plenty of contact.

To a point I also like tough and physical basketball, also I am not without the knowledge that contact occurs, however there is a line and if we stay on the wrong side of it, allowing all the illegal stuff like we tend to and like I believe the new slogan is referring to, then I think we will be in trouble.

Just my opinion based on how I see players and coaches getting frustrated at no calls, then bang, some obscure call that no one saw any different to the 6 missed before it resulting in anger and officials getting short fuses but not understanding that it is their inconsistent officiating that starts the problem in the first place...

#hardball = #frustration

http://m.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-fox-sports-strike-tv-deal-that-includes-creation-of-brisbane-team-20150903-gjen3b.html

"Fox Sports also has the digital rights for NBL games and will stream them to subscribers via its digital platforms, but the league has retained the right to have a third party create a subscription streaming product for people without pay-television."

I wonder what this means exactly ? If the NBL is able to set up a decent live streaming product without having to get Foxtel then they would have done extremely well. It would almost be a perfect deal if they get one game on FTA also.

The biggest problem I have with it is that a search for #HardBall barely returns any NBL results on Twitter, which makes it less useful. #NBL16 would've been better. You can keep the slogan, just don't use it as a hashtag.

I think that is great Isaac, very noble of you and of course you are free to do with your time what you like because that is your choice.

I have hobbies and am very active in many things I do to support young kids in basketball while also working, raising a family and plenty more keeps me busy, not just the TV.

I also like to have the option to watch what like on my TV however, so I subscribe to Foxtel.

I didn't enjoy watching the NBL last few years, crappy time slots and it just didn't offer much for me, but I think I will enjoy it more this season, we will see...

In the end, it is a matter of choice, choose what suits you but no one has to obey what others think is the righteous thing to do with their time.

Roy Ward really gets detailed with his tweeting huh
:p

The one year review period is not for fox to reduce live games but to give nbl more flexibility to sell to fta networks

Typical NBL fans saying that this new deal is the 'death of the league' on Facebook. We can't have any good news without negativity...

Not at all LV, I wouldn't imagine many people would watch every game, not would I have the time to do this, I was just implying that the Foxtel option isn't exclusive.

I know it isn't for everyone, but sometimes if you really want something you can make room for it, sure pay TV isn't possible for all but there is always a way if you are resourceful enough...

Ever heard of local a 'Foxtel Network'?

I have some bad news for many of you... Steve Carfino is on Sportsfan Clubhouse on Thursday's show so it means he s back in the country so I am guessing he will be the face of the NBL once again.

I don't like this deal very much as I don't have Foxtel and nbl.tv was great moreso for it's on demand feature so I could watch after others went to bed.

If I want to watch live I will use remz.ca which has everything from the Foxtel feed and ESPN and Fox Sports in USA

Okay, just a small reality check for some bloggers out there who may be thinking about Foxtel and getting some great deal or other fanciful ideas.

Whatever they offer you remember one simple thing, their deals are many and they will try to confuse you to entice you into signing with their clever tactics and complex mix and match offers.

Not that this should discourage anyone new from joining, just be aware that even with a first up deal you will have to pay and after a while any offer will expire and you will be on the normal price for whatever it is you have signed up for.

Now, this isn't a doom and gloom post, I have Foxtel and have enjoyed it for years, the NBL deal for me is a bonus and I am looking forward to it.

What I don't get is the drama about paying for the privilege of pay-for-view TV!

That's what it is, it is set up for you to have what you want in addition to free to air and you have to pay for it, just like you have to pay for your 55" HD Samsung TV, if you want to watch sport on a big, clear screen...

The Foxtel deal is a great deal for the NBL, I can watch all games, invite who I want (even HO can come over if he brings some bourbon) to watch with me, I can watch it on my lap top using the Foxtel GO app' and I can record any games I miss along the way to watch later on.

Even better, I can also watch heaps of college games and heaps of other sport, I can go nuts on sport overload if I want and it's all on HD, so if you can afford it, don't hesitate, if you can't and don't want to outlay the cash go and find a friend who has (and remember to bring the booze)!

We shouldn't be worried about reviewing the deal after a season or so. The league has to work hard to ensure its product is briliant, spectacular, relatable, exciting.
If the product can be proven to be al those things but viewership is too low then LK will be asking FOXTEl to look at their level of promotion and the quality of their production.

The 1 game of FTA is what gets this over the line for me ( plus the fact its a 5 year deal).
This is the NBLs chance to catch the casual channel surfer.
LK will be looking for real prime time - Friday night basketball, and I reckon any channel that takes it will promote it, couldn't do any less than 10 did.

NBL needs packed venues to create atmosphere to hook TV audience in.

For those who are considering getting Foxtel. May I also suggest checking out the Whirlpool forums Pay TV section. There is an entire thread dedicated to negotiating Foxtel packages.

Now, can we start speculating on who the commentators will be?

Bill Woods would be my pick for NBL host. But there would have to be a team of local commentators for each venue.

Matthew -
Also any chance of getting Steve Carfino back for some commentating?

Please no!

"Have they defined live for those of us in SA and WA?" Foxtel only broadcasts in one timezone (so if something is on at 7pm in eastern states, it starts at 5pm in WA). So live means live everywhere

Just had another look, there are actually a lot of full games on catch up (Netball, Union,F1, V8 Supercars), so I would say 90% chance the NBL will be on catch up as well.

" Does this give you on demand as well or do I have to watch live?"

There is 'Catch Up' feature on Foxtel Go, Some NRL games and motorsports are currently on the Fox Sports category.

There is a feature on Foxtel Go that you can rewind live tv back 30 minutes, so you don't need to be live, just need to start watching within 30 mins of the game starting.

^Boti has suggested "more news to come". Streaming service perhaps?

Foxtel. Sounds good except I don't have and cannot get Foxtel (not that I would pay the $50 or whatever a month just to watch the NBL live). Apart from the Foxtel Play app (same cost, no hardware and uses my bandwidth) what other options do I have? I guess if I can find someone with Foxtel I can use there GO login? Does this give you on demand as well or do I have to watch live?

Yeah I get my Foxtel by Dish as do all people where I live : aint no cable.

I think this is a great deal. Im a Wildcats member but I do like watching Basketball games in general so am looking forward to seeing it on there.

Also any chance of getting Steve Carfino back for some commentating?

Anyone know if you can get HD channels with Foxtel Play ?

Another Con/uncertainty factor to the mix. The NBL is effectively putting their future in the hands of Fox. At the moment Foxtel are doing a huge campaign on the Rugby World Cup in a bid to drive up subscriptions. Hopefully Foxtel will put a decent effort into promotion of the game and hopefully it is successful. If they just sign up the NBL and sit back and do nothing, when they review the value of picking up the code, they might look back and go "well that didn't work, it's not worth it, lets cut some corners", that's a risk.

So summary

- People with Foxtel think it's the best news ever
- Those who don't have nor want Foxtel think it's the worst news ever

But from a 'What's Best For The Game' perspective

Pros - will be likely shown in pubs, better quality more reliable coverage than NBL.TV, serious sports fans with Foxtel+Sports might be more likely to embrace the NBL, all games are live on TV

Cons - None or only one game live on FTA means fewer viewership overall, no cheap streaming alternative, uncertainty of how many games will be shown live after the first year of the deal.

Overall I guess you could say it's far from perfect but it could be a lot worse.

Its probably the best the NBL can get right now, but personally, I'm disappointed, because even though I live in inner city Adelaide, there is no cable in my street and so I can't get Foxtel!

I much prefer the live streaming model, but having said that, I freely admit the company running the live streams to this point has not been up to scratch.

Has anyone heard if Kestelman/ Fox will look into developing a PROFESSIONAL live streaming service in the next couple of seasons?

Hidden away, how?

Exactly how many other broadcast deals have we had that deliver all games, live, in hd? Yes its the best broadcast deal.

Okay, so I see this as some of the best news, or potentially best news, the NBL has had since I can remember.

Any 5 year deal with Foxtel that brings live games at prime time can only give the NBL a boost, end of story!

What we need now is to ensure the product is high quality, with great highlights and our games are not boring arm wrestles with holding, grappling and limited free flowing, exciting play.

So, please get the officiating right, please...

one live game on free to air... that aint the worst news