Flames set to shine with WNBL’s new broadcast deal

August 30, 2024 | Sydney Flames news

The Sydney Flames and the whole WNBL will be watchable by more sports fans than ever before after the league extended its partnership with ESPN and expanded its broadcast arrangement with Channel 9 to include a new free-to-air deal, with marquee games to be available on 9Go, in high definition (HD). 

ESPN is widely regarded as the home of basketball, and the WNBL is pleased to continue to deliver ‘WNBL Wednesdays on ESPN’ and all finals games.

ESPN will also continue to provide strong coverage for fans through social and digital. 

SECURE YOUR WNBL25 MEMBERSHIPS NOW

ESPN’s WNBL programming will also be available via Foxtel, Kayo Sports, and Sky Sports New Zealand. 

The marquee 12:30pm Sunday afternoon game will be shown on 9Go and marks the first time the WNBL has been on a free-to-air main channel in five years.

All remaining games will be available on Nine’s free digital channel, 9Now. 

Last season the WNBL’s broadcast audience was the highest it has ever been, with a collective reach of over 2.6 million, up 23 per cent from the previous season.

With the additional visibility and exposure through 9Go for the upcoming season, it is expected this will increase again. 

Head of WNBL, Christy Collier-Hill, is excited by the new deal. 

“This is really exciting for the WNBL,” Collier-Hill said.

“It provides us with an enormous opportunity to really lift the profile of the league, the clubs, and the incredible athletes that are part of it with two marquee games a week. 

“The WNBL has some of the best basketball players in the world – Australian Opals and Gangurrus, WNBA and international superstars.

“We want as many people as possible to be able to see these amazing athletes in action on and off the court, and this new broadcast deal provides us with that opportunity.” 

Senior vice president and managing director, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand and head of ESPN for Asia Pacific, Kylie Watson-Wheeler was equally as excited.

“ESPN is excited as Australia’s ‘Home For Hoops’ to be continuing our long association with the WNBL and serving our audiences with women’s basketball in prime-time throughout the WNBL regular season and finals,” Watson-Wheeler said.

PURCHASE YOUR NBL25 FULL-SEASON MEMBERSHIP NOW

Nine Director of 9Now and Programming, Hamish Turner, echoed their thoughts.

“We’re excited to bring the WNBL season to all Australians for free on 9Go! and to stream on 9now. 

“Off the back of a thrilling bronze medal at the  Olympic Games in Paris, Australia’s best basketballers will return to free to air joining Women’s rugby league where every NRLW game and the record-breaking Women’s State of Origin series lives,” Turner said.

Broadcast production partner, JAM TV, will continue to work behind the scenes to deliver the games to ESPN and Nine, with a number of key areas uplifted to improve the fan viewing experience. 

“JAM TV is excited about renewing our production partnership with WNBL and bringing women’s basketball to Nine on Sundays to complement Wednesday prime-time coverage on ESPN,” said Cos Cardone.

“The WNBL and its stars have a great story to tell, and we’re looking forward to bringing those stories to life this season”.  

The WNBL fixture and key dates are set for release this coming Monday, September 2, at 10am. 

© Copyright 2024 Basketball Australia.
Site by SOD
Close