To recap, the “multi-year” deal gives BT exclusive multi-platform coverage rights, including live coverage of games and a host of magazine and highlights shows including NBA Action, NBA Countdown and the popular NBA Inside Stuff which started out on US network NBC in 1990.
It has since moved broadcasters several times, migrating first to ABC in 2002 where it ran until 2005 before being revived this November by NBA TV – a dedicated basketball channel funded by the NBA – hosted by former player Grant Hill and radio talk show host Kristen Ledlow.
Here in the UK the show has gotten off to a strong start, securing itself a place in BT Sport 2’s ten most watched shows and tying with the channel’s coverage of New York Knicks v Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden earlier this month.
The game was watched by 15,000 viewers on Virgin Media, BT TV and Sky, with thousands more watching via BT’s smartphone and tablet app.
Of course, UK fans aren’t just relegated to passively watching the stateside action from their sofas.
Not only can they heighten the excitement of each weeks’ games by placing a wager at bwin.be which offers odds on every game of the season, many also managed to grab tickets to see the Brooklyn Nets v Atlanta Hawks at The O2 in London on January 16th.
The game is part of NBA Global Games 2014 and tickets for it sold out in record time.
For those who failed to secure their ringside view of the game there’s some good news – BT Sport 1 will be showing it live and in full.
Before then the Nets will face the Chicago Bulls in one of three games to be shown on Christmas Day which also sees the New York Knicks take on Oklahoma City Thunder and the LA Lakers v Miami Heat.
The games are likely to score well with TV viewers looking for something beyond the usual EastEnders festive special and overly familiar ‘classic’ movies.
Upcoming NBA games on BT Sport:
THURSDAY DECEMBER 19
Miami Heat v Indiana Pacers – midnight, BT Sport 1
Houston Rockets v Chicago Bulls – 2.30am, BT Sport 1
FRIDAY DECEMBER 20
Oklahoma City Thunder v Chicago Bulls – 1am, BT Sport 1
Golden State Warriors v San Antonio Spurs – 3.30am, BT Sport 1
SATURDAY DECEMBER 21
Indiana Pacers v Houston Rockets – 1am, BT Sport 1
LA Lakers v Minnesota Timberwolves – 3.30am, BT Sport 1
Golden State Warriors v LA Lakers – 3.30am, BT Sport 2
SUNDAY DECEMBER 22
Golden State Warriors v LA Lakers – 3.30am, BT Sport 2
TUESDAY DECEMBER 24
Miami Heat v Atlanta Hawks – 12.30am, BT Sport 1
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25
Brooklyn Nets v Chicago Bulls – 5pm, BT Sport 1
New York Knicks v Oklahoma City Thunder – 7.30pm, BT Sport 1
LA Lakers v Miami Heat – 10pm, BT Sport 1
THURSDAY DECEMBER 26
San Antonio Spurs v Houston Rockets – 1am, BT Sport 1
Golden State Warriors v LA Clippers – 3.30am, BT Sport 1
FRIDAY DECEMBER 27
Houston Rockets v Memphis Grizzlies – 1am, BT Sport 1
Portland Trail Blazers v LA Clippers – 3.30am, BT Sport 1
SATURDAY DECEMBER 28
Golden State Warriors v Phoenix Suns – 3.30am, BT Sport 1
SUNDAY DECEMBER 29
Boston Celtics v Cleveland Cavaliers – 6pm, BT Sport 2
MONDAY DECEMBER 30
Oklahoma City v Houston Rockets – midnight, BT Sport 1
LA Lakers v Philadelphia 76ers – 2.30am, BT Sport 1