NBA’s new TV contracts cover future technology

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA’s new television contracts with ESPN/ABC and TNT include rights to technologies that have yet to be invented, an indication of the importance the deals place on newer forms of media.

The eight-year extensions go through the 2015-16 season. The current six-year contracts expire at the end of next season.

The number of games televised on the networks won’t change much. What’s different are the extensive rights for the networks to broadcast games and other content on the Web and mobile phones.

The NBA will receive about $930 million a year for all its broadcast rights, an increase of more than 20 percent from the previous average of $767 million.

Digital media rights

The previous contracts, though, did not include the extensive digital media rights. NBA commissioner David Stern said the traditional TV rights are still worth more than the digital rights, but the packages do not break down the payments for each type separately.

ESPN/ABC and TNT will each be able to simulcast and offer video on-demand for games that air on its networks.

Stern and network executives downplayed the league’s declining TV ratings, insisting there is still plenty of demand for NBA-related content through other forms of media.

San Antonio’s recent four-game sweep of Cleveland finished with a record-low 6.2 television rating and 11 share on ABC.

One challenge is measuring the level of use of new media in the way that Nielsen ratings gauge TV viewing.

The networks will have exclusive coverage of the conference semifinals, which means the games won’t also air on teams’ local stations. The new deal allows the networks to choose games involving the league’s most popular teams more often during the regular season.

More playoffs for ABC

ABC will continue to air 15 regular season games and the entire NBA finals and will televise an increased number of games earlier in the playoffs. The maximum number of times a certain team can appear on the network during the regular season has been increased.

ESPN and ESPN2 will continue to show up to 75 regular season games as well as one of the conference finals. ESPN will increase the number of early round playoff games it airs.