BY WAYLON GALVEZ
The NBA is restarting this week, and the Filipino fans can now watch it live on TV.
Cignal TV announced yesterday that it is partnership with the league, as it will start broadcasting the games on July 31 over NBA TV Philippines on One Sports, and free TV channel TV5.
“Basically, Cignal TV will have an NBA channel, it’s NBA TV Philippines. This is previously NBA Premium. This channel is available on Cignal TV but will also air a game or two on weekends on TV5,” said Guido Zaballero, Cignal TV’s First Vice President for Network Marketing.
Zaballero said Cignal TV would start broadcasting games on July 31, the restart of the NBA Season (July 30 in the US) on NBA TV Philippine channel 292 on HD and 96 on SD
On free TV channel TV5, one or two games would be shown only on weekends.
Zaballero said the catch for Filipino NBA fanatics to watch the games is to avail of the Cignal TV’s P520.00 and up post paid monthly fee, or P600.00 and up on prepaid load.
Asked on how much is the deal between the NBA and Cignal TV, Zaballero said he couldn’t reveal the details.
“I can’t divulge the price… but let’s put it this way. We all know that we didn’t have the NBA for a long time, and mahaba din ang naging discussion. It’s suffice to say we just ensure it comes in a price that is more reasonable para maibalik natin ang NBA sa Pilipinas,” he said.
Filipino fans have been deprived of NBA games live on TV after the previous partnership didn’t materialize for an extension, and this is good news since the NBA is returning this week after a four-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A total of 22 teams are now in Orlando, Florida for the restart, including title favorites Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets in the West, Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics and defending champion Toronto Raptors in the East.
