There are reports that Netflix is considering a groundbreaking move into the sports media space, signaling a desire to purchase the rights to the NBA’s in-season tournament. Netflix’s goal to enter live sports broadcasting, in addition to entertainment material, is evident through this potential venture.
Acquiring the rights to NBA games would be a significant step for the streaming behemoth into the sports media space as it seeks new opportunities. This strategic move aligns with Netflix’s overarching goals of expanding its content variety, reaching a large audience of sports fans, and competing with established media outlets in the ever-evolving sports media sector.
Netflix showing interest in acquiring NBA in-season tournament rights
Despite initial questions, the NBA In-Season tournament is turning out to be a stunning success, with viewership up a whopping 55% over the same period last season. The streaming giant Netflix has taken notice of this surprising popularity and has expressed interest in purchasing the rights to broadcast the In-Season tournament.
👀 Netflix has shown “some interest” in acquiring rights to the In-Season Tournament, per @SBJ#nbaitalia #nba pic.twitter.com/JkLqV2kfRH
— NBA News 24 (@nbaitalianews24) November 14, 2023
The decision aligns with Netflix’s venture into live sports programming, an area it hasn’t thoroughly explored despite success in creating sports-themed docuseries. While Netflix hasn’t engaged in live sports streaming like its rivals, the In-Season event presents an enticing opportunity.
Currently, ESPN broadcasts the NBA In-Season Tournament on Tuesdays and Fridays, but if Netflix enters this market, it could become the sole streaming provider for these games. Netflix executives are drawn to the NBA due to its existing $24 billion media rights contract with ESPN and Warner Bros Discovery (TNT), signed nearly ten years ago.
The proposed package would be smaller and more exclusive than the In-Season Tournament, allowing Netflix to market the games alongside original content. With Netflix’s interest, the NBA’s upcoming negotiations for a new media rights contract in March may signal a radical change in how basketball fans consume content.
NBA in-season tournament to wrap up in December
Group Play and the Knockout Rounds are the two stages of the NBA’s first-ever In-Season Tournament. 30 teams compete in four predetermined games each during the Group Play stage, which runs from November 3 to November 28. The top teams in each group advance.
Following that, the eight qualified teams will advance to the single-elimination Knockout Rounds, with the Quarterfinals taking place on December 4-5. A neutral location will host the Semifinals and Championship, which are scheduled for December 7 and December 9, respectively.
When the competition reaches it’s conclusion, focus will turn to awards and league titles. Players on teams competing in the Knockout Rounds will get a portion of the prize pool from the NBA, which is contingent on how far the teams advance.
The league will recognize outstanding player performances in both the Group Play and Knockout Rounds by honoring the All-Tournament Team and the Most Valuable Player after the tournament. As an exciting new addition to the NBA schedule, the In-Season Tournament provides fans with more reasons to be excited early in the season.
The success of the tournament in terms of attendance and fan interaction could influence the NBA’s entire schedule and structure in the future when the league makes decisions about similar events. With the tournament concluding in December, teams will be ready to kick off their regular-season campaigns, potentially affecting their momentum and playoff positioning.
