The National Basketball Association and YouTube today announced a groundbreaking partnership making YouTube TV – the live TV streaming service – the first-ever presenting partner of the NBA Finals.
Throughout the partnership, “The Finals presented by YouTube TV” logo will be featured prominently during all Finals games, including on the court and in-arena. Additionally, YouTube TV will be featured in ABC commercial spots and in-game call outs, along with having a major presence across the NBA’s digital and social media assets.
The Finals 2018 presented by YouTube TV will be broadcast live on ABC beginning Thursday, May 31. During The Finals, fans will have access to ABC and every game through YouTube TV, which is available in nearly 100 of the top markets, covering more than 85 percent of U.S. households. The Finals have been broadcast live on ABC since 2003.
Earlier this month, the NBA expanded its relationship with YouTube with the addition of NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour network, for YouTube TV members base package at no additional cost. In the coming months, NBA League Pass, the league’s premium out-of-market live game service, will be available for YouTube TV members for an extra fee.
Overall, the NBA and YouTube partnership goes back more than a decade, and includes a long history of firsts. The NBA was the first official professional sports league to partner with YouTube and launch its own channel in 2005, and join their “Claim Your Content” program in 2007. To date, the NBA channel has generated more than 4.6 billion views.
YouTube TV launched in April 2017 to provide audiences with a new, more flexible way to enjoy their favorite live TV and live sports programming outside of a traditional cable subscription. The live TV streaming service currently features more than 50 networks.