The Comcast/NBC deal has opened the possibility, however slight, of a comeback for the once-ubiquitous theme from the NBA on NBC.
The Comcast SportsNet regional sports networks are under the management of NBC Sports Group, a result of Comcast’s recently completed deal to take a majority stake in NBC Universal. Between them, the CSN networks own local television rights to seven NBA teams.
While there have not been many details on NBC’s intentions regarding the Comcast RSNs, it seems likely that the network would want to put its stamp on the 11 CSN networks, much in the same way it has with Versus and The Golf Channel.
A slew of NBC executives have been named to top posts at Versus and The Golf Channel (former Turner exec Mark Lazarus was selected to run the CSN networks). At Versus, two on-air NHL broadcasters have been dropped, and NBC’s Pierre McGuire has been added.
In the Comcast/NBC relationship, the NBC side has taken the definitive lead when it comes to sports programming.
With that in mind, it would not be surprising at all if NBC decided to dust off the John Tesh NBA theme for the local CSN NBA broadcasts. There would be a precedent; the network brought back the theme for basketball games during the 2008 Olympics.
If NBC does indeed want to impose its look and feel on Comcast sports properties — and, based on the changes to Versus NHL coverage, that certainly seems to be the case — the return of Roundball Rock would seem to be a logical step.
After all, nothing says you’re watching the NBA on NBC (or in this case, a corporate sibling of NBC) quite like the 20-year old theme.
