Live NBA games generally run during daytime TV in Australia, and therefore recieve poor ratings.

Furthermore, while the rights to broadcast regular reason games aren't overly expensive it isn't the most cost-effective programming for the networks.

Given the monopoly ONE HD had on the free-to-air market a few years back I believe they could have capitalized on their sporting brand/identity and made it work, but as things currently stand there are better programming options available.

They did run Bucks games during prime time when Andrew Bogut played for them. Considering that it didn't last long I'm guessing it didn't rate well enough.

We have a plethora of casual basketball fans in Australia. NBA.com has highlights, ESPN/NBA has "analysis" and NBA league pass allows for fans to watch games whenever it suits them: this is enough for most.

There isn't a whole lot of point for casual fans to watch an entire game on FTA when they've likely already watched the highlights and checked the box scores.

It could be a cheap option if they could secure rights to play delayed games that ESPN isn't showing, and air these games in the afternoon at around 330 or so when kids are getting home from school. Very interesting that Australia is second in league pass though, I'd imagine Phillipines alone would've trumped us along with any number of European countries. Stats like these are where NBL/BA need to capatalize

ONEHD had games on Wednesday and Friday mornings, does anyone believe that giving us a weekend game would have changed the outlook on ratings?

I loved ONEHD when it was a 24 hour sports channel and live all across Australia but a change in ownership have a change in philosophy hence why the NBL or other sport (minus swimming) isn't broadcast until after 9:30pm.

It will be interesting to see if Big Bash will destroy NBL coverage or not but only time will tell

"Yeah but surely on FTA it would promote the NBA brand in Australia a lot more?

Television is a massive Marketing tool.

A win/win situation for the NBA"

Clearly the NBA's brand in Australia is pretty strong judging by the League Pass figures, but we're a small fish in a big blue ocean. Most of their resources go to the bigger markets: USA, China, India and various regions in Europe.

If the goal were to market the NBA to Australia, then selling the broadcasting rights cheap to a network would only accomplish a reduction in League Pass subscriptions; at the current broadcasting rates the networks aren't interested.

I'll go out on a limb and infer that the networks and the NBA have PROBABLY done a little more research than any of us have...

Anon, you asked why the NBA isn't on FTA: take the answers for what they're worth. Consider buying an NBA League Pass or Foxtel subscription if you're unhappy.

I believe the downfall with OneHD and the NBA had a great deal to do with ESPN wanting to be the main broadcaster actually

It does make you wonder though why a couple of small market teams don't come here with a fuckload of merchandise and play a couple of games in Australia...

We would expect Melbourne and/or Sydney but would they take a game to Brisbane (our third biggest city) that's without an NBL team or Perth (with the best stadium) or Adelaide?

It would be great to have all 5!

Simple economics $$$$$ !

I did read somewhere a little while a go that due to the popularity of the NBA in Australia the NBA subscription cable service was thinking of making it available down under but more so a dedicated NBA channel on cable television.

I though Australia is the highest subscriber to NBA league pass. See this link:

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/nba-consider-more-opportunities-in-australia-following-success-of-league-pass-20130213-2ecqn.html

Keep in mind that many other countries have dedicated channels to NBA/Basketball and therefor there is less of a necessity for league pass subscription. Which brings the question as to why Australia can't do the same.

As for exhibition matches I have no doubt they would be extremely successful if brought here. I still remember last year when one reporter simply mentioned the possibility and then before you know it there were campaigns such as facebook pages with over 15,000 likes pushing for it.

I also read somewhere that Australia is one of the highest purchasers of NBA merchandise.

The demand is certainly there for both exhibition matches and TV coverage but it may be a matter of time before someone acts on it. Look at the AFL for example - it only just got a dedicated channel and it is absolutely massive here.

I don't understand how Reality program's could rate above sport. Since AFL don't understand Monday night viewing why don't a channel pick up game of the week on Monday night. I'm so sick of fatties getting off their arse and clowns trying to cook. How the f@&k does that rate?

Too much access to NBA for everyone already through other means, internet highlights, league pass.. won't rate as high anymore.

Only way I can see it happening is including the latest episodes of NBA action after the NBL game on FTA Sunday.

The ideal situation would be,

- NBL Game of the week
- NBL Blitz program
- NBA Action

It just doesn't rate sadly, ala basketball in general. You look at the money folked out for EPL rights and there's a stark contrast.

There's a strong niche market for NBA in Australia but it's just not big enough to attract mainstream investment, and I'd guess it's strongest in lower-spending demographics too.