NBA on USA
Encyclopedia
The NBA on USA is the de facto
name is for the USA Network
's National Basketball Association
television coverage. The program ran from the season through the season.
) debuted in the spring of 1969 and did all home events from the Madison Square Garden
: New York Knicks
basketball, New York Rangers
hockey, college basketball, horse shows, Golden Gloves
boxing, tennis, the Westminster Dog Show, ice capades, professional wrestling, etc. The first reference to the channel as “MSG Network” was sometime around 1971–72, although the name did not become official until 1977.
The first televised events were NHL and NBA playoffs
in the spring of 1969; in those playoffs Marty Glickman
did play-by-play for the Knicks
broadcasts while Win Elliott did play-by-play for the Rangers
.
Meanwhile, HBO began simulcasting some MSG games in 1972 beginning with the Rangers
/Vancouver Canucks
game on November 8, 1972 (the first ever program televised on HBO, to a few subscribers in Wilkes-Barre, PA). 1974–75 marked the only year in which HBO used MSG announcers for their feed. Because HBO is a premium cable service, this created a burden on announcers to fill in dead airtime on HBO while commercials aired on MSG Network. HBO did not broadcast Knicks or Rangers games after the 1976–77 season.
, Rangers
, etc.) were then televised on a fledgling network that would eventually become known as the USA Network. This channel, which debuted on September 22, 1977
, was basically a continuation of the existing MSG Network. The key difference however, was that it was now nationally syndicated via satellite rather than terrestrially. It was also the first cable channel to be supported by advertising revenues. By this time, the channel was officially called the “Madison Square Garden Network” or MSG Network.
In , the National Hockey League
replaced their syndicated coverage package The NHL Network with a package on USA. At the time, the USA Network was called UA
-Columbia
. As the immediate forerunner for the USA Network, UA-Columbia, served as the cable syndicated arm of MSG Network
in New York
, PRISM channel in Philadelphia
, and whatever pay/cable outlets were around in 1979
.
, the Madison Square Garden Network changed its name to the USA Network. This occurred when the ownership structure was reorganized under a joint operating agreement by the UA
-Columbia
Cablevision cable system (now known as Cablevision Systems Corporation) and MCA
(then the parent of Universal Studios
, now owned by NBC Universal
). Things took a step further one year later when, Time Inc
. (which eventually merged with Warner Communications to form Time Warner
) and Paramount Pictures
Corp. (then a division of Gulf+Western
, now owned by Viacom
) took minority ownership stakes in USA in 1981. G+W also owned the New York Knicks and the MSG regional sports television network
(both later owned by Cablevision, but spun off in 2010).
), $
1.5 million deal, it marked the first time that the NBA had a cable television
partner. USA would extend their deal with a two year contract (along with another cable partner in the form of ESPN) worth a total of $11 million.
USA typically aired approximately 35-40 regular season doubleheaders on Thursday nights. Besides regular season and playoff
action, USA also broadcast the NBA Draft
. USA (as well as ESPN) was ultimately succeeded by TBS
, who paid $20 million for two years beginning in the season.
During the 1981-82 season, Al Albert and Hubie Brown called the early game while Eddie Doucette and Steve "Snapper" Jones called the late game. Hubie Brown was subsequently replaced by Jon McGlocklin as Al Albert's partner.
In 1980, USA televised two NBA games on Christmas Day
. Jim Karvellas and Richie Powers called the early game involving New Jersey at Washington. Meanwhile, Eddie Doucette and Steve Jones called the late game involving Golden State at Portland
.
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
name is for the USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
's National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
television coverage. The program ran from the season through the season.
Manhattan Cable and HBO
Manhattan Cable (subsequently referred to as the MSG NetworkMSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
) debuted in the spring of 1969 and did all home events from the Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
: New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
basketball, New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
hockey, college basketball, horse shows, Golden Gloves
Golden Gloves
The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States. The Golden Gloves is often the term used to refer to the National Golden Gloves competition, but it also can represent several other amateur tournaments, including regional golden gloves...
boxing, tennis, the Westminster Dog Show, ice capades, professional wrestling, etc. The first reference to the channel as “MSG Network” was sometime around 1971–72, although the name did not become official until 1977.
The first televised events were NHL and NBA playoffs
1969 NBA Playoffs
The 1969 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1968–1969 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Lakers, four games to three in the NBA Finals.Despite...
in the spring of 1969; in those playoffs Marty Glickman
Marty Glickman
Martin "Marty" Glickman was a Jewish American track and field athlete and sports announcer, born in The Bronx, New York. His parents, Harry and Molly Glickmann, immigrated to the United States from Jassy, Romania....
did play-by-play for the Knicks
1968–69 New York Knicks season
The 1968–69 New York Knicks season was the 23rd season for the team in the National Basketball Association . The Knicks finished third in the Eastern Division with a 54–28 record, and qualified for the NBA Playoffs for the third straight year....
broadcasts while Win Elliott did play-by-play for the Rangers
1968–69 New York Rangers season
The 1968–69 New York Rangers season was the 43rd season for the team in the National Hockey League. The Rangers finished in third place in the East Division with 91 points and advanced to the playoffs, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the quarter-finals.-Schedule and Results:The 1968–69...
.
Meanwhile, HBO began simulcasting some MSG games in 1972 beginning with the Rangers
1972–73 New York Rangers season
The 1972–73 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 47th season.-Schedule and Results:The 1972–73 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 47th season.-Schedule and Results:...
/Vancouver Canucks
1972–73 Vancouver Canucks season
The 1972–73 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 3rd in the NHL. Vancouver finished 7th in the East Division for the second consecutive season, failing to reach the playoffs again.-Game log:-Trophies and awards:...
game on November 8, 1972 (the first ever program televised on HBO, to a few subscribers in Wilkes-Barre, PA). 1974–75 marked the only year in which HBO used MSG announcers for their feed. Because HBO is a premium cable service, this created a burden on announcers to fill in dead airtime on HBO while commercials aired on MSG Network. HBO did not broadcast Knicks or Rangers games after the 1976–77 season.
UA-Columbia
When the MSG/HBO marriage ended in 1977, Madison Square Garden proceeded to seek a new partner to launch a national network to show off its events. So for several years, beginning with the 1977–78 season, all MSG home events (such as those involving the Knicks1977–78 New York Knicks season
The 1977–78 New York Knicks season was the 32nd season for the team in the National Basketball Association . The Knicks finished the regular season in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 43–39 win–loss record and qualified for the NBA Playoffs...
, Rangers
1977–78 New York Rangers season
The 1977–78 New York Rangers season was the fifty-second season of the New York Rangers franchise. The Rangers slipped to last in the Patrick but qualified for the playoffs by having one of the top twelve records in the league. The Rangers lost in the first round of the playoffs.-Offseason:The...
, etc.) were then televised on a fledgling network that would eventually become known as the USA Network. This channel, which debuted on September 22, 1977
1977 in television
The year 1977 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1977.For the American TV schedule, see: 1977-78 American network television schedule.-Events:...
, was basically a continuation of the existing MSG Network. The key difference however, was that it was now nationally syndicated via satellite rather than terrestrially. It was also the first cable channel to be supported by advertising revenues. By this time, the channel was officially called the “Madison Square Garden Network” or MSG Network.
In , the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
replaced their syndicated coverage package The NHL Network with a package on USA. At the time, the USA Network was called UA
United Artists Television
-Background:UA purchased Associated Artists Productions in 1958, giving UA access to the pre-1950 Warner Bros. library and the Popeye cartoons made by Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios between 1933 and 1957....
-Columbia
Columbia Pictures Television
Columbia Pictures Television was the second name of the Columbia Pictures television division Screen Gems . The studio changed its name on September 4, 1974.-1974-1982:...
. As the immediate forerunner for the USA Network, UA-Columbia, served as the cable syndicated arm of MSG Network
MSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, PRISM channel in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, and whatever pay/cable outlets were around in 1979
1979 in television
The year 1979 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1979.For the American TV schedule, see: 1979-80 American network television schedule.-Events:...
.
The formation of the USA Network
On April 9, 19801980 in television
The year 1980 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1980.For the American TV schedule, see: 1980-81 American network television schedule.-Events:...
, the Madison Square Garden Network changed its name to the USA Network. This occurred when the ownership structure was reorganized under a joint operating agreement by the UA
United Artists Television
-Background:UA purchased Associated Artists Productions in 1958, giving UA access to the pre-1950 Warner Bros. library and the Popeye cartoons made by Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios between 1933 and 1957....
-Columbia
Columbia Pictures Television
Columbia Pictures Television was the second name of the Columbia Pictures television division Screen Gems . The studio changed its name on September 4, 1974.-1974-1982:...
Cablevision cable system (now known as Cablevision Systems Corporation) and MCA
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
(then the parent of Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
, now owned by NBC Universal
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
). Things took a step further one year later when, Time Inc
Time Inc.
Time Inc. is a subsidiary of the media conglomerate Time Warner, the company formed by the 1990 merger of the original Time Inc. and Warner Communications. It publishes 130 magazines, most notably its namesake, Time...
. (which eventually merged with Warner Communications to form Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
) and Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
Corp. (then a division of Gulf+Western
Gulf+Western
Gulf and Western Industries, Inc., for a number of years known as Gulf+Western, was an American conglomerate.- History :Gulf and Western's prosaic origins date to a manufacturer named Michigan Bumper Co. founded in 1934, though Charles Bluhdorn treated his 1958 takeover of what was then Michigan...
, now owned by Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
) took minority ownership stakes in USA in 1981. G+W also owned the New York Knicks and the MSG regional sports television network
MSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
(both later owned by Cablevision, but spun off in 2010).
1981-84 coverage
When the USA Network signed a three year (running through the 1981-82 season1981-82 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Moses Malone, Houston Rockets*Rookie of the Year: Buck Williams, New Jersey Nets*Coach of the Year: Gene Shue, Washington Bullets*All-NBA First Team:**Larry Bird, Boston Celtics...
), $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.5 million deal, it marked the first time that the NBA had a cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
partner. USA would extend their deal with a two year contract (along with another cable partner in the form of ESPN) worth a total of $11 million.
USA typically aired approximately 35-40 regular season doubleheaders on Thursday nights. Besides regular season and playoff
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
action, USA also broadcast the NBA Draft
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
. USA (as well as ESPN) was ultimately succeeded by TBS
NBA on TBS
The NBA on TBS debuted in the 1984-1985 season under a four year contract, where they shared the NBA package along with CBS.-Coverage:...
, who paid $20 million for two years beginning in the season.
Announcers
- Al Albert
- Hubie BrownHubie BrownHubert Jude "Hubie" Brown is a retired American basketball coach and a current television analyst. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, the honors being separated by 26 years...
- Lou CarneseccaLou CarneseccaLuigi P. "Lou" Carnesecca is a retired American college basketball coach at St. John's University. He coached the men's basketball program to 526 wins and 200 losses over 24 seasons...
(an analyst for USA's draft coverage) - Eddie DoucetteEddie DoucetteEddie Doucette is the president of Doucette Promotions Inc. He is a former television and radio announcer. He was the original radio voice of the Milwaukee Bucks where he broadcast games for 16 years. He also broadcast games for Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Portland...
- Steve JonesSteve Jones (basketball)Stephen Howard "Snapper" Jones is one of the most esteemed and watched National Basketball Association television analysts.-Basketball career:...
- Jim Karvellas
- Tom Kelly
- Jon McGlocklinJon McGlocklinJon P. McGlocklin is an American former professional basketball player.A sharpshooting 6'5" guard from Indiana University, McGlockin was selected by the Cincinnati Royals in the third round of the 1965 NBA Draft, but he is best known for his 8-season tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, with whom he...
- Richie PowersRichie PowersRichard F. "Richie" Powers was a professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association from 1956 to 1979. He worked 25 NBA Finals games, including the triple-overtime Game 5 contest in the 1976 NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics, considered "The Greatest...
During the 1981-82 season, Al Albert and Hubie Brown called the early game while Eddie Doucette and Steve "Snapper" Jones called the late game. Hubie Brown was subsequently replaced by Jon McGlocklin as Al Albert's partner.
In 1980, USA televised two NBA games on Christmas Day
NBA on Christmas Day
The National Basketball Association's Christmas Games is a series of games played on Christmas Day. It has been an annual occurrence since the league's inception in 1946, like their National Football League's November holiday counterparts, the Thanksgiving Classic games...
. Jim Karvellas and Richie Powers called the early game involving New Jersey at Washington. Meanwhile, Eddie Doucette and Steve Jones called the late game involving Golden State at Portland
1980–81 Portland Trail Blazers season
The 1980–81 season was the 11th season of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association . The Blazers won seven more games than the previous season, ending with a record of 45–37 and making the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.The Blazers were eliminated from the 1980...
.
See also
- NHL on USA
- The USA Thursday Game of the WeekThe USA Thursday Game of the WeekThe USA Thursday Game of the Week is a former television program that broadcast Major League Baseball games on the USA Network.-Background:...
- USA Tuesday Night FightsUSA Tuesday Night FightsUSA Tuesday Night Fights is a television boxing show. It aired from October 1, 1982 through August 25, 1998 on the USA Network; at one time it was the longest continually-running boxing show on television....