SHANGHAI – NBA China and BesTV, a member of the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group, today 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 Madam 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,” said Madam Wang.  “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,” said 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.

About BesTV
BesTV is a member of the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group under the Shanghai Media Group.  The company has a wide range of multi-media platforms including IPTV, mobile, smart TV, cable TV to deliver its content.  BesTV currently has 90 million users across all of its platforms.  BesTV is the pioneer and founder of Chinese IPTV business model.  In 2005, BesTV built the first mobile TV platform in China and it also invests vigorously in purchasing program copyrights both domestically and overseas.

About NBA China
The NBA’s entity that conducts all of the league’s businesses in greater China was formed in January 2008 after its first office opened in Hong Kong in 1992.  The NBA has interacted with Chinese basketball for decades, including first hosting the Chinese National team in 1985.  The NBA currently has relationships with a strong network of television and digital media outlets in China, including a partnership of more than 25 years with national broadcaster CCTV.  The league hosts hundreds of touring basketball events for fans, conducts community enrichment programs, and maintains marketing partnerships with a combination of world-class China-based corporations and U.S.-based multinationals.

NBA China is headquartered in Beijing and also has offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei.  NBA licensed products such as apparel and footwear are available through various retail networks and authorized online stores on e-commerce and social media platforms, including Tmall.com, JD.com and WeChat.  In 2004, the NBA became the first American professional sports league to play games in China, with two games between the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings in Shanghai and Beijing.  Following NBA Global Games China 2016, 13 NBA teams will have played 22 games in Greater China.