National Basketball League Exec Dir Larry Kestelman "wants the league-produced NBL TV to become the most-watched digital sports product in Australia," according to Roy Ward of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The league announced on Wednesday that "its new owned and produced online offering would give supporters live and replay access to all games this season, plus hundreds of classic games dating back to the inaugural season in 1979." NBL TV will cost A$5 ($3.80) per month and "be free to all full season ticket-holders, with team packages free to shorter-term members." Kestelman hinted at great commercial and int'l plans for NBL TV, calling Wednesday's announcement "phase one," with the league believed to be advanced in making NBL TV available in "basketball-mad Asian nations" such as China and the Philippines. Kestelman said, "Our goal is nothing short of being the most digitally watched product in Australia -- it's as simple as that." He admitted the league was making a "heavy financial" investment in its online coverage, and was working with digital partner Telstra on NBL TV (SMH, 9/7).
