As NBA All-Star 2015 hits New York this week, TNT is lining up 26 hours of coverage spanning Feb. 12-15 before wrapping up with the 64th annual game from Madison Square Garden on Sunday at 8p. As previously announced, for the first time, the contest will be simulcast on TNT and TBS and feature Marv Albert calling his 20th NBA All-Star Game, offering play-by-play commentary with Reggie Miller and Chris Webber, who is working his first behind the microphone along with reporters David Aldridge and Rachel Nichols.
Cynopsis Sports spoke with Craig Barry, SVP of Production and Executive Creative Director at Turner Sports, about this week’s events and the goodies in store.
Barry on New York and the fan: The fan will benefit alone from the event being in New York, one of the greatest cities on the planet and the mecca of basketball. The geography and energy lends itself to a grand, but highly accessible, experience. There will be a myriad of events that fans can interact with throughout the city. New York brings a combination of history, heritage and energy unlike any other city. The epicenter of sports and pop-culture! We’re really excited to be there. With the accessibility of the event and the passionate fans, it has the potential to be one of the best All-Star experiences ever.
On production elements: On the production side, everything is bigger. We’ve added more cameras, including additional super slo mos, and we’re introducing some new virtual technology during our NBA All-Star Game coverage this year. We’re also enhancing our coverage of State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, with the on-air treatment mirroring the in-arena presentation for the first time. The event and broadcast will be one providing an epic experience whether you are at Barclays Center or watching at home.
Our overall surround approach for these premium NBA All-Star events is more expansive than it has even been. We’ve setting up a home base at the historic Hammerstein Ballroom for Inside the NBA on Thursday and Friday and we’ve added several hours of original programming leading into our Saturday night coverage.
On sponsors: There has been a tremendous response from advertisers. We’re sold out across linear and digital and it is our most profitable All-Star ever. Our partners, in addition to executing against sponsorship opportunities, have worked closely with our sales and integrated marketing teams to immerse their brands into our telecasts. We’re also being innovative in how we create content and dynamic in the way it is integrated into our shows.
On Marv Albert’s milestone: He’s the voice of NBA, plain and simple. A huge event like All-Star wouldn’t be the same without him.
