Netflix has no interest in live-streaming the NBA In-Season Tournament despite a report to the contrary, as relayed by Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch.
The streaming giant does, however, have interest in airing an NBA-related docuseries “along the lines of its much-discussed F1 Drive to Survive series,” Lewis wrote.
Last week, a report from Sports Business Journal indicated Netflix is looking to get involved in live-streaming sports events, with the In-Season Tournament being among the possibilities. However, Bloomberg contradicted that report.
“It’s still way too early in the NBA’s negotiating process to know if Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is serious about making such a big splash in live sports rights,” wrote John Ourand of Sports Business Journal. “After all, the league’s 45-day exclusive negotiating window with ESPN and Turner doesn’t start until March 9, which means that we’re still months away from serious talks.”
The NBA is preparing to negotiate a new broadcast and streaming rights package, with the bidding expected to be intense.
“The league’s media rights package should see a lot of interest from current rightsholders ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery,” Ourand wrote. “NBC has said that it is interested in getting involved with the NBA again. Amazon, Apple and Google/YouTube also have shown interest.”
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