FIBA and Twitch to bring more basketball to platform

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has agreed a deal with Twitch to bring more basketball content to the platform.

The first such deal between Twitch and an international federation, the agreement means that over 600 hours of live games will broadcast on the FIBA channel. There will also be unique programming formats, which are specifically developed to leverage Twitch’s interactive tools and features.

The live games involved include all FIBA 3x3 competitions, the EuroLeague Women and selected youth tournaments. Moreover, highlights and delayed coverage of FIBA’s national team and other club competitions and youth tournaments will be packaged and distributed for Twitch creators and basketball communities around the world.

In addition, fans will be able to produce FIBA-related content on their own channels, as the federation has given access to its footage to Twitch creators.

FIBA aims to create a network of creators across the US, France, Italy, Spain and Australia, who will co-livestream the games and create their own unique live content once the deal begins in spring 2021.

FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis said: “FIBA is delighted to announce this unique collaboration with Twitch, a live streaming service that is used by millions of people globally each day. This innovative agreement will further strengthen our strategic objective to enlarge the FIBA family by offering year-round basketball action to more fans, on an interactive service.”

Twitch SVP, EMEA, Dan Burns, added: “FIBA is an innovation-driven organisation and is passionate about bringing fans together in new interactive ways around livestreaming. This makes FIBA the perfect fit for Twitch. We are excited to see FIBA reach new and existing audiences across the globe with truly innovative content that makes the most of the tools and resources Twitch has to offer.”