NBA, Apple ink iTunes 2006 playoff deal

The NBA has announced that it has teamed up with Apple to bring the 2006 Playoffs to the iTunes Music Store, providing basketball fans the ability to download full game recaps of every remaining NBA Playoffs and Finals game broadcast by all NBA networks including ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBATV. Users will be able to download episodes to their computer or iPod within 24 hours after games conclude. In addition to the 15 to 20 minute full game recaps available for each 2006 Playoffs game, users will also be able to purchase complete game replays of every Finals game the day after they air on ABC as well as purchase episodes of the Emmy Award-winning studio show, Inside the NBA on TNT. iTunes will offer several options for purchasing and downloading content, including team-based packages that provide recaps of each game a specific team plays along with a season recap video for $9 per team. Each game recap will also be available a la carte--along with individual episodes of Inside the NBA--for $1.99.

During the first round of playoffs, the NBA touted Google's video service as the only place to purchase full video of each the games. Users can use the Google video service to purchase complete game replays for $3.95 each; however, these are only available to users of Microsoft's Windows operating system. The full-game replays continue to be available via Google.

The 15 episodes of Inside the NBA, produced by TNT Sports, will feature exclusive off-camera footage and interaction between Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson as well as guest appearances by TNT analysts Reggie Miller and Magic Johnson and the host of NBA players and legends who visit the set throughout the Playoffs.

The "2006 NBA Playoffs on iTunes" content will be promoted across ESPN and ESPN.com, TNT and NBA TV, according to the NBA. Fans will be able to access the NBA content on iTunes through several download options including a first of its kind "Follow Your Team" package which provides fans to receive automatic downloads of each of their favorite team's games, including full game recaps of every game the team plays from the Conference Semifinals through The Finals and a season recap video for $8.99.

The package of Inside the NBA on TNT will be available for $8.99, while a special Finals package will include complete game replays of every game of The Finals on ABC for $5.99.

"We're thrilled to be offering basketball fans this unique opportunity to follow NBA Playoffs on iTunes," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "With the new 'Follow Your Team' feature, fans automatically receive full game recaps of every game their favorite team plays from the Conference Semifinals through The Finals."

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Other story tags: digital music/video