For the first time in 13 years, ABC is trying something new with its NBA coverage.
ABC will air eight Saturday night NBA regular season games during the 2015-16 season, ESPN announced Thursday. The slate begins on January 23, followed by additional games on January 30, February 20 and 27, March 5, 12, and 19, and April 9.
The Saturday night package marks the first time that ABC has consistenly aired NBA regular season games in primetime. In its first 13 seasons carrying the league, it aired just four such games — a pair of 6:00 and 8:30 PM ET doubleheaders on Christmas 2002 and 2003.
NBC had a brief run of Saturday night regular season games in the early 2000s, but that effort generated mediocre ratings and was quickly abandoned.
In addition to the primetime games, ABC will also air six Sunday afternoon telecasts on January 31, February 7 and 21, March 6 and 13, and April 3. The earliest start time will be 2 PM ET on February 7, Super Bowl Sunday. Barring a scheduling change, this season will be the first on ABC without a 1 PM ET game.
ABC will also air its customary Christmas Day doubleheader, for a total of 16 regular season telecasts.
The dramatic scheduling change comes on the heels of a recent downturn in regular season ratings. Last year, ABC tied the second-lowest rated NBA season on broadcast TV with a 2.2 average rating.
(Thu. news from ESPN Media Zone)
