NBATV-HD next season???

[Walter L.]

NBATV-HD has announced that it will go 24/7 by the beginning of the next NBA season. I suspect that after that, they wouldn't allow providers to turn the feed ON only for basketball games.
Since E* currently offers this channel as a "special event" the question is: are we going to have NBATV-HD on E* next season?

 

[Sean Mota]

Where/when was the announcement made?

 

[Walter L.]

Here is the announcement:

By John Consoli mediaweek.com February 24, 2005

NBA TV and Turner Broadcasting System have reached an agreement that will allow the NBA to distribute in high-definition all NBA TV programming and game coverage 24 hours a day beginning this fall. Under the arrangement, Turner will manage all NBA TV program integration from its operation headquarters in Atlanta.

In addition to HD, the programming will be distributed in both standard and international formats. NBA TV will continue to produce its non-game programming from its facility in Secaucus, N.J. Turner this season is televising its exclusive Thursday night NBA games in both standard format and high-definition on TNT, with the HD telecast available on cable operators' digital tiers.

"This deal allows us to advance our equity stake in NBA TV, as well as to further our outstanding long-term partnership with the NBA," said Jim McCaffrey, executive vp of operations and strategy at TBS.

"With this new arrangement, NBA TV joins an elite group of networks broadcasting full-time in high-definition," said Adam Silver, NBA Entertainment president.

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