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Foxtel, ABC announce Women’s Basketball rights.

4 WNBL games a week on FOX Sports, with 2 simulcast on ABC.

Foxtel and ABC have announced broadcast rights for Women’s National Basketball League, totalling 60 games of the 2020 season available Live across Australia.

FOX Sports will broadcast Live four* games per week (7.00pm AEDT Thursday, 5.00pm AEDT Saturday, 1.00pm AEDT Sunday and 3.00pm AEDT Sunday) on Foxtel and Kayo, with the ABC simulcasting on both their primary channel and ABC iview the 5.00pm Saturday and 3.00pm Sunday games.

Basketball Australia CEO, Jerril Rechter, said: “Basketball Australia is delighted that the WNBL will be returning to the screens of the ABC in 2020. The WNBL is Australia’s longest-running elite women’s sporting competition and the ABC has been a champion for the league since its inception.

“To have WNBL games broadcast live and free across the country on ABC TV and iview will provide an important vehicle on which to showcase Australia’s best established and emerging athletes, plus help build upon the popularity of women’s basketball while inspiring a whole new generation.

“Basketball Australia would like to thank the ABC for their long-standing support of the WNBL and this new and enhanced partnership is an exciting step forward for the league. We look forward to delivering a highly successful season both on and off the court.”

Basketball Australia Head of Women in Basketball Lauren Jackson said, “The Australian Opals and our Under 19 women’s team are both ranked world number two and this broadcast arrangement will enable all Australians to witness the skill, strength and athleticism of our players.

“The 2020 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season will double as important preparation for the Australian Opals ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 FIBA Basketball World Cup which will be hosted by Sydney.

“With all the opportunities that this season presents us, being able to broadcast all our games live across the nation was at the top of the list. This is a wonderful outcome for Women’s Basketball in Australia, and we are thankful for the support of both Foxtel and the ABC.”

FOX Sports Executive Director Steve Crawley, said: “Women’s basketball is a source of inspiration and excitement for Australians of every age group. We are stoked to be the home of the WNBL in 2020 bringing every game of the season live to a record number of sports fans watching on Foxtel and Kayo.”

The ABC’s coverage starts with two Victorian teams going head to head – the Melbourne Boomers vs Southside Flyers from 5.00pm (ADST) on Saturday 14 November followed by the match between the Southside Flyers and Sydney Uni Flames on Sunday 15 November at 3.00pm (ADST).

Director of ABC Regional & Local, Judith Whelan, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome back the WNBL to the ABC – the natural home of women’s sport in Australia. We are also delighted that one of this country’s most experienced and passionate basketball commentators, the ABC’s Corbin Middlemas, will be part of this season’s on-air WNBL commentary team.

“The ABC is looking forward to bringing Australian fans two games per week of one of the best women’s basketball competitions in the world.”

In addition to streaming the games that will be broadcast on Foxtel, Kayo will also stream Live all remaining games of the 2020 season which will involve multi-camera and expert commentary.

*From Round Two of the Fixture with three games during Round Five.

7 Responses

  1. The ABC have been spruiking women’s sport for a while now.
    Considering it’s the national broadcaster not having any worthwhile sports coverage has been very noticeable omission for them especially when the SBS have shown the lead acquiring TV sports rights in recent years.
    Who knows if ratings are reasonable the ABC might look at featuring more sports, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

  2. Does anyone watch Foxtel now?? With Netflix, Stan and co l cant be bothered with Foxtel. Then again l feel main stream sport should be on free to air if the sport truly wants to grow its seed to the masses.

    1. Well Foxtel owned Kayo grew to 600,000 subscribers this winter and Foxtel has reported record audiences this year for NRL and AFL so I guess the answer is “yes”.

  3. Foxtel in recent years has been granted $40 Million in taxpayer funding to increase coverage of Womans Sport and they have the Gall to charge the ABC for reboadcast rights.
    Also I have noticed no one on Sky News Australia has the courage to mention to discuss this issue.
    Where are you Chris Kenny

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