Cartoon Network announced a multifaceted partnership with the NBA to develop long- and short-form basketball-themed content across a wide variety of platforms, including online, mobile, VOD and on-air. Through this partnership and the network's alignment with Turner Sports, this announcement continues a long-standing relationship the NBA has had with Turner Broadcasting for over 25 years.
"We're thrilled to be teaming up with one of the world's most preeminent sports brands," said Stuart Snyder, president and COO of Turner Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media. "This partnership with the NBA is part of the ongoing sports strategy at Cartoon Network and is a perfect extension of our brand that will allow us to continue to create even more relevant and compelling content that speaks directly to our audience."
"Cartoon Network represents the best in entertainment for kids and families, and new shows like MY DAD'S A PRO demonstrate the kind of innovative programming we hope to produce in this new partnership,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Adam Silver.
To coincide with the NBA season tip-off in fall 2009, Cartoon Network is developing the short-form series, MY DAD'S A PRO, the first of several programming initiatives to come out of the Cartoon Network/NBA partnership. The short-form series follows the children of NBA players, and explores the day to day thrills and challenges of that lifestyle. Also this fall, a sustained basketball section will launch on CartoonNetwork.com.
Turner is in its 25th year as a media and broadcast partner with the NBA. TNT is the exclusive home of Thursday night NBA regular season doubleheaders. In addition, the network exclusively covers NBA All-Star and will air more than 40 playoff games this year, including exclusive coverage of the Eastern Conference Finals. In addition, Turner also manages the NBA Digital portfolio, which includes NBA TV and NBA.com.
Rick DeMott
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