Dec. 22, 2023

WNBA’s Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi Hosts ESPN NBA Telecast

Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will be bringing their programme over to the NBA. By: Dylan Low

The two WNBA stars will be doing coverage on their first NBA game together on ESPN, highlighting a programming concept that has garnered popularity during the network’s showcase of the NCAA women’s final four tournament. The Bird & Taurasi Show, that broadcasted four times over the last two years, has gained traction for the duo’s chemistry and enthusiasm. The show will be in line with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, which produces Manning-cast that screens along with ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

The pair will be talking about a noon Christmas game between the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks, broadcasted on ESPN2 and ESPN+. Scheduled guests will be Jason Sudeikis, Tyrese Haliburton and Breanna Stewart.

The programme term “alterna-casts” has risen to prominence among sports broadcasters, as ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and Amazon have attempted using the format. These concepts play out on top of a traditional broadcast of a match, with contrasting groups of hosts holding forth, in less formal situations. Warner just attempted a program that played during overview of Major League Baseball, targeting Latino audiences.

Early 2024, Paramount Global will try their biggest concept ever, which is a separate coverage of the Super Bowl that streams on the Nickelodeon cable network, aimed for young audiences and their families to watch.

ESPN plans to simulcast five different Christmas Day games on ESPN+, and will look to televise three editions of NBA Countdown.

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