A stunning announcement has given NBC with the rights to NBA coverage through 2016, and the sitcom Scrubs a final season.
To resolve a dispute between NBC and ABC over the rights to the veteran television sitcom Scrubs, the networks have engaged in a trade of major properties. ABC has traded its National Basketball Association package to former rightsholder NBC for the rights to Scrubs and legendary sportscaster Bob Costas.
Costas, who spurned ABC six years ago, released a statement on his blog.
“I’m very happy to be with my new network. ABC doesn’t ask me to broadcast with the likes of Tiki Barber and Keith Olbermann.”
For the NBA and Scrubs, the trade represents a homecoming of sorts for both. Despite airing on NBC, Scrubs is produced by ABC studios. The NBA, meanwhile, had a twelve-year relationship with NBC from 1990 to 2002.
In a conference call, NBA Commissioner David Stern told reporters he was “pleased” with the new deal.
“I know for the past six years, I’ve been giving you the song and dance about how happy I am with my network partners, and yada, yada, yada. Like so many things I tell you, those were boldfaced lies. Thank God we’re back on NBC. No more Tim McGraw and Tom Petty, and no more ads for Desperate Housewives. Granted, the first few NBA games on NBC will be sponsored by The Biggest Loser, but I’ll take it for now.”
