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asketball Australia has announced a broadcast production partnership with Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) for the 2020 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season.
SEN’s production division, Rainmaker, will utilise its ‘hub delivery system’, along with traditional onsite broadcast to deliver all WNBL action live.
With the recent announcement the WNBL season will take place exclusively out of a North Queensland hub from November 11 to December 20, Rainmaker will have unlimited access to the entire season.
In addition to live game coverage, Rainmaker will have behind-the-scenes access with one-on-ones with the players, allowing fans to have never-before-seen access to the WNBL.
Basketball Australia executive general manager of basketball, Paul Maley, said the appointment of Rainmaker as the league’s production partner will allow fans to see a better WNBL experience than ever before.
“Not only will our new broadcast agreement with Foxtel, Kayo and the ABC provide the Chemist Warehouse WNBL with more exposure than ever before, the production will set a new benchmark for WNBL coverage – showcasing the skill, strength and athleticism of our players,” Maley said.
“Rainmaker’s innovative approach will maximise the advantages of facilities on the ground but add the flexibility of its state-of-the-art commentary hub, to enable the best commentators and experts from around the country to offer live insight and analysis during every game,” he said.
Rainmaker CEO, Richard Simkiss, said he was looking forward to being able to showcase Australia’s best and emerging WNBL athletes.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Basketball Australia, Foxtel, Kayo and the ABC in this winner-takes-all six-week competition that will celebrate women’s basketball and the athletes that make it so special,” Simkiss said.
“This partnership builds on our live coverage of other sports including Bowls, Athletics, Softball and Hockey and underpins our ambition to continue to innovate to find high-end, cost-effective broadcast solutions for our partners.
“Our strong national footprint of radio, digital, TV, stadium and print assets will further promote women’s basketball and help inspire a whole new generation of players,” he said.
As part of the deal, all 60 games of the 2020 WNBL season will be available live across Australia, either on Foxtel, Kayo or the ABC, with Fox Sports to broadcast four live games per week on Foxtel and Kayo, with ABC simulcasting on both their primary channel and ABC Iview two games each week.