ABC will include to its NBA coverage come January with the inauguration of Saturday night match in January.
The Saturday night NBA will commence on January 23 and be among the first eight matches to be aired at seven o'clock in the evening Chicago time up to the end of the season, Chicago Tribune reported. ABC had formerly televised Sunday doubleheaders, and now there will be a shift when the network airs one match every Saturday night and one every Sunday.
The addition of the Saturday night match to the schedule implies that ABC and ESPN will work collaboratively to air NBA games for four nights every week. ESPN currently broadcasts doubleheaders every Wednesday and Friday nights of the week during the season, NBA said.
Rumors have it that ABC decided to increase the number of days for NBA coverage after NBA fans indicated interest to watch the game on Saturdays. NBA seems to capture the attention of many views, providing an opportunity for profitability especially for broadcasting houses licensed to air the matches.
Meanwhile, ESPN unveiled the plans Thursday and indicated its "NBA Countdown" program show will be televised before the Saturday night games. The move is to heighten competition among broadcasting corporations when it comes to NBA games coverage.
The choice of games will occur as from next week - most likely, with ABC's NBA timeframe will start with a Christmas doubleheader. ABC will make this move to prepare fans for the upcoming events in January.