NBA G League signs two-year deal with Fox's streaming service Tubi

Although the public is still waiting to find out where the NBA's nationally televised games will be shown in the next media deal, its developmental league just found a new home.

The NBA G League will begin broadcasting games on Tubi, the free ad-supported television (FAST) service owned by FOX, starting on Friday Nov. 10. This is the third broadcasting outlet for the minor league, with games already having been shown on ESPN's family of networks as well as NBA TV, the league's linear channel managed by Warner Bros. Discovery.

The NBA G League Channel will have 75 games live streamed through the 2023-24 season. In a statement to trade magazine Broadcast & Cable, Tubi Chief Content Officer Adam Lewinson touted how the league fits with the service's existing programming:

"We are thrilled to team up with the NBA G League for over 75 exciting match-ups and unbelievable moments from the game’s breakout emerging players,” said Lewinson. “Bringing together the G League’s next generation of stars and our young and highly engaged audience is another dynamic step in our sports content strategy."

Tubi is the best-known of the emerging FAST services, a competitive set that includes Paramount's Pluto TV, Amazon's Freevee, The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus. On the whole, FAST is the modern era's version of syndicated programming in which popular shows of the past become their own "channels" for viewers to watch to their hearts' content. Several sports-related channels with live and archived programming are also featured on these services, including those from major pro leagues and broadcasters such as FOX Sports.

Tubi has grown buzz for its original programming, especially those programs attracting Black and minority audiences. It also had a featured role for FOX in the recent World Cup cycle for both the men's tournament last December and the women's tournament this past summer, showing group play of many games outside of those involving the United States' senior teams. The addition of the G League may not have the same level of viewership as those international soccer matches, but the high interest in future NBA stars should be enough of an attractant to bring fans onto the service.