The NBA "has failed to reach a new broadcast rights deal in Germany ahead of the '15-16 season," according Nils Lehnebach of SPONSORs. When the new season kicks off on Tuesday, German NBA fans "will be in the dark." German sports network Sport1 held the rights for the past two seasons and showed three games per week on its pay-TV channel Sport1 US. The Munich-based network said that it "remains interested in the rights but nothing has been signed yet." In addition to Sport1, Perform-owned website Spox.com "was live streaming games." The website "is also the NBA's official media partner in Germany." Perform "is reportedly far along in its negotiations for a bigger rights package." The media group is reportedly also in talks with Sport1 regarding a sublicense. Both companies did not want to comment on the reports (SPONSORs, 10/27).
IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT: The NBA and IMG signed a multi-year agreement to broadcast live NBA games on Sport 24, the only 24/7 sports channel available in-flight. The new partnership will include more than 100 live regular-season, playoff and Finals games each season on in-flight channel Sport 24. The IMG-owned and produced channel is available on more than 250 aircraft on 10 airlines. Sport 24, which launched in March '12, will also show live coverage from this year’s Rugby World Cup, the Premier League, the Bundesliga, Formula 1, golf’s Majors and tennis’ Grand Slams, and the ATP 1000 events and finals (NBA).
