NBA China, BesTV Ink Expansive Multimedia Partnership in China

NBA China and BesTV, a member of the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group, announced a multiyear expansion of their partnership to deliver extensive NBA games and programing to fans in China.  The NBA’s partnership with the Shanghai Media Group (SMG), the parent company of the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group, dates back to the 1996-97 NBA season.

The announcement was made today in Shanghai at the Mercedes-Benz Arena by the President of SMG Wang Jianjun and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, with two-time NBA Champion Kenny Smith and nine-time NBA All-Star Gary Payton in attendance, prior to the Houston Rockets taking on the New Orleans Pelicans as part of NBA Global Games China 2016 presented by Master Kong.  The game will be host broadcasted by BesTV to China and around the world in more than 200 countries and territories.

As the Official Multimedia Partner of the NBA in China, nearly 1,300 NBA games each year and programming will be available across BesTV and SMG’s extensive media platforms.

NBA games and programming will be made available through the NBA Zone subscription service on a variety of BesTV’s platforms, including via IPTV, over-the-top set-top boxes, BesTV’s mobile app, BesTV, and Funshion-branded smart TVs, and, for the first time, delivered to televisions via the Xbox game console.  Fans will also be able to view NBA games on-demand through these services.

On SMG, fans will be able to access NBA content through GreatSports, SiTV and Dragon Satellite TV via cable, digital cable and satellite television.

“This expanded partnership builds on our 20 years of collaboration with the NBA to provide fans with NBA games and content,” says Wang Jianjun.  “Shanghai Media Group will undertake to cross promote the NBA on all our sports platforms.”

“Through BesTV and the Shanghai Media Group’s expansive platforms, we will provide NBA fans with even more access to our games and content throughout the year,” says Silver.  “Most importantly, these efforts will help us continue to grow the game of basketball in China.”

Coverage throughout the year on BesTV and SMG will include regular-season and playoff NBA games, NBA All-Star, the NBA Conference Finals, the NBA Finals, the NBA Draft, as well as original NBA programming and highlights.

As part of the expanded partnership, BesTV will utilize its extensive resources to advertise and promote the NBA games and content, as well as NBA events and activities in China.