NBL and Nine Network Strike Transformative Two-Year Free-to-Air Deal

The Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL) and Nine have today announced a two-year broadcast agreement that establishes the 9Network as the free-to-air home of Australian basketball.

The partnership, which officially commences for the 2026-27 (NBL27) season, places the league on Australia’s currently top-ranked network as it enters a critical growth phase leading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Under the new arrangement, two marquee NBL games will be broadcast live every week across the 9Network and 9Now. This includes dedicated Saturday night fixtures and comprehensive coverage of the NBL Finals Series.

Describing the partnership as a pivotal moment for the sport’s visibility, NBL Group CEO, David Stevenson, said: “This partnership with Nine is about building on that momentum and making our game more accessible than ever before.”

“Having two games broadcasted live every week is a major win for fans and a powerful platform to continue growing the game,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson also extended gratitude to Network 10 for their role in driving the league’s recent record-breaking attendance and digital engagement.

Noting that the NBL’s high-energy broadcast style fits perfectly with the network’s sports portfolio, Nine’s director of sport, Brent Williams, noted: “The standard of the game has never been higher, passion from the fans has never been stronger… this is a perfect addition to Nine’s suite of sport assets.” 

Key Broadcast Pillars for NBL27:

• Weekly Exposure: Two marquee games per week, headlined by a Saturday night live broadcast.
• Finals Access: Live coverage of the NBL Finals Series on free-to-air television.
• Programming: A weekly “NBL Overtime” analysis show and a dedicated 9Now hub.
• Network Synergy: Alignment with the WNBL and Nine’s broader “Runway to LA28” Olympic coverage.

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