ABC will have an exclusive eight-game schedule on Saturday evenings beginning in January. This way fans like myself will be able to watch more NBA games on yet another night during next year`s 2015-2016 basketball season. The eight-game schedule featuring the sport’s biggest stars and most intriguing matchups will begin Jan. 23, 2016 with weekly game telecasts at 8.30 p.m. ET.
The schedule addition means ABC and ESPN will combine to broadcast NBA games four nights a week. ESPN already televises doubleheaders on Wednesday and Friday nights during the season. These plan were announced Thursday by ESPN and they say its “NBA Countdown” pregame show currently hosted by Sage Steele with analysts Jalen Rose and Doug Collins, will precede the games at 8 p.m.
Game selections will be made in the coming weeks. ABC’s NBA schedule begins with a Christmas doubleheader.
“The creation of Saturday Night NBA on ABC is an important moment in the long, successful relationship between ESPN and the NBA,” said John Skipper. “The NBA’s massive popularity continues to open doors for new, collaborative opportunities, and this new series demonstrates ESPN’s commitment to showcase the NBA as often – and across as many platforms – as possible. Saturday night games will be highlighted by the NBA’s biggest stars, top rivalries and most compelling storylines. We expect to establish this series as a big-game destination for NBA fans, along the lines of what we’ve accomplished in college football with Saturday Night Football on ABC.”
