AP source: Comcast reaches deal to move NBA TV to popular digital TV tier

AP source: Comcast adding NBA to popular service

PHILADELPHIA — Comcast Corp. has reached a new seven-year agreement that will add the NBA TV channel to the cable TV operator’s most popular digital tier of service before the start of the next pro basketball season.

Comcast, the nation’s largest cable TV provider, struck the deal after NBA Digital agreed to sharply lower the per-subscriber rate it charges the cable operator, according to a person with knowledge of the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release details. An official announcement was expected Thursday.

NBA TV had been aired only on Comcast’s premium sports package, which costs $5 to $8 a month and has about 2 million viewers. By putting the channel in its “Digital Classic” tier as well, Comcast gives NBA TV around 13 million viewers.

Comcast has reached similar deals with the National Hockey League for its NHL Network and the National Football League’s NFL Network.

NBA Digital is a partnership between the National Basketball Association and Turner Sports, a division of Time Warner Inc.’s Turner Broadcasting. It manages NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com in addition to NBA TV, which airs more 100 live games and other basketball programming.