CES 2019: Twitter To Live-Stream Single-Player, Iso-Camera Angle From NBA on TNT Games
The complementary experience will be available during the second half of 20 NBA games this season
Story Highlights
Today at CES 2019, the NBA, Turner Sports, and Twitter announced a live-streaming deal that will provide fans in the U.S. with a complementary experience on Twitter for 20 NBA on TNT games this season. During the second half of each of the games, fans can watch the action through a single-player, isolated camera view. Fans will vote on Twitter for the player they want to see featured during the live stream of selected regular-season and playoff games airing on TNT as well as the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.
“The NBA Twitter community is among the most vibrant in sports and entertainment,” says NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “While watching NBA games on TNT, our fans on Twitter can now enjoy a unique second-screen experience that will further enhance the way fans engage with each other and the game.”
The live streams will debut during TNT’s presentation of the 2019 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17 with an iso-cam of a fan-voted player. The schedule of regular-season and playoff live streams will be announced at a later date, along with the exclusive commentators who will provide analysis for this second-screen offering.
“Turner and the NBA have always taken a leadership position in providing fans with engaging experiences, and this partnership with Twitter is the latest example,” says Turner President David Levy. “This complementary live stream on Twitter — from the distinct vantage point of the fan-voted, most-coveted player on a given night — will provide an additive experience for fans, to go along with the fully produced coverage on TNT.”
As part of the expanded relationship, the NBA, through its NBA Digital partnership with Turner, will continue to provide on-demand content from the @NBA Twitter handle, including video of pregame warmups, in-game and postgame highlights, and behind-the-scenes content.
“#NBATwitter is one of the most exciting and entertaining global conversations happening on Twitter today,” says Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. “We’re thrilled to partner with the NBA and TNT to bring live video directly into the app to make it even better!”
Since joining Twitter in 2009, the NBA has built the largest Twitter community of any sports league in the world, with 27.5 million followers.
