Band deal returns NBA to Brazilian free-to-air TV

Brazilian broadcaster Rede Bandeirantes (Band) has acquired rights to the 2019 NBA Finals, returning the North American basketball league to free-to-air television in country for the first time since 2004.

Band will broadcast the finale to the 2018-19 season, with the best-of-seven Finals scheduled to run from May 30 to June 16.

The deal with the NBA marks the return of the league to Band screens after a period of almost two decades. The 2000 Finals were the last games the broadcaster covered.

Band also shows weekly magazine programme NBA Freestyle, which it began broadcasting earlier this month.