In a significant strategic maneuver, Sky Italia has secured exclusive broadcasting rights for Italian Serie A basketball (LBA) for the 2025/2026, 2026/2027, and 2027/2028 seasons. This landmark agreement is accompanied by the launch of a dedicated channel, “Sky Sport Basket,” poised to consolidate a vast array of basketball content under one digital roof.
This development signifies a comprehensive shift in how Italian audiences will consume professional basketball. With the new “Sky Sport Basket” channel, viewers are presented with a singular, streamlined portal to the sport, effectively eliminating the need to navigate disparate broadcasting platforms. It`s a move that suggests Sky is not just dabbling in basketball but is, in fact, laying claim to the entire court.
The All-Encompassing Basketball Hub
The newly minted “Sky Sport Basket” channel is engineered to be the definitive destination for basketball enthusiasts. Its programming will encompass a broad spectrum of leagues, ensuring that fans have unparalleled access to both domestic and international competitions. This holistic approach is a clear indication of Sky`s intent to dominate the sports broadcasting landscape in Italy, particularly concerning the hardwood action.
Italian Hoops at Its Core
The cornerstone of this new offering is undoubtedly the Italian Serie A – LBA championship. Sky`s acquisition guarantees extensive coverage of the nation`s premier basketball league, featuring:
- 60 regular-season games: Including two matchups per round, with a consistent focus on the “big match” of the week. This ensures that key rivalries and top-tier performances are always highlighted.
- Playoff Coverage: Comprehensive broadcasting of two games per day during the crucial quarter-finals, alongside complete coverage of all semi-final and final series. For those who enjoy the drama of elimination rounds, this package leaves little to be desired.
Beyond the regular season and playoffs, Sky has also secured the rights to Italy`s prestigious cup competitions for the next three seasons:
- Supercoppa Italiana: All games of the annual Super Cup will be available live.
- Coppa Italia: Every moment of the Italian Cup will be broadcast, with the additional benefit of Sky acquiring free-to-air rights for this tournament, potentially expanding its reach to a broader audience. One might surmise this is a strategic olive branch to those not yet fully subscribed to the Sky ecosystem.
A Global Slam Dunk: European and NBA Action
The “Sky Sport Basket” proposition extends well beyond national borders, incorporating premier European and North American basketball. This international flair ensures that Italian fans remain connected to the global pulse of the sport:
- FIBA EuroBasket 2025: Scheduled to commence on August 27th, this major international tournament will be part of Sky`s offering, allowing fans to follow their national heroes on the European stage.
- EuroLeague and EuroCup: Sky has secured exclusive rights to both the EuroLeague and EuroCup for the next three seasons. This is particularly significant, as these competitions represent the pinnacle of European club basketball, featuring teams and players often intertwined with Italian clubs.
- NBA: From October, the new challenges of the National Basketball Association will also be integrated into the channel`s programming. This addition provides a constant stream of elite basketball, showcasing the league`s unparalleled athleticism and star power. For the truly dedicated, a full week of basketball is now a distinct possibility.
Implications for the Italian Basketball Landscape
This aggressive expansion by Sky is set to redefine the viewing habits of Italian basketball fans. The consolidation of such diverse and high-profile content into a single channel offers unparalleled convenience. While some might lament the further concentration of sports rights within a single broadcaster, the immediate benefit to the fan is undeniable: a singular, comprehensive access point to virtually every significant basketball event. It`s an efficient solution, if perhaps a touch monopolistic in its ambition.
The move also underscores Sky`s continued investment in premium sports content, leveraging basketball`s growing appeal to strengthen its market position. By providing such an exhaustive package, Sky is not merely broadcasting games; it is curating an entire basketball experience, from the local rivalries of Serie A to the global spectacle of the NBA. For the next three seasons, Italian basketball fans will certainly have no valid excuse for missing a single jump ball.
