The success of the NBA’s efforts "to turn the league into a global brand was apparent this weekend" as more than 312 int'l media members from 46 countries traveled to Houston to cover the NBA All-Star weekend, according to Alicia Jessop of FORBES. NBA Senior VP for Int'l Media Distribution Matt Brabants said, "The international fan interest in this year’s All-Star has been incredible, and there is a tremendous amount of anticipation for tonight’s game." To broadcast the All-Star game globally, the NBA "relied on 45 cameras from TNT and another 5 from the NBA." These cameras then "sent footage across the globe to the various media outlets covering the weekend’s events." While many int'l countries "had live reporters on the ground in Houston," some countries "relied upon footage being sent to them in real-time" for their anchors to provide commentary on while watching the game on TV. Overall, NBA TV Int'l "provided viewers in 88 countries footage" of the weekend's events. This weekend’s events "reached fans live in 215 countries and territories watching television in 47 different languages." That the int'l media "has widely embraced the NBA is welcomed news to the league." NBA Commissioner David Stern said, "Our international prospects remain as strong as ever. Our digital footprint will become larger country by country" (FORBES, 2/17).
