This, as it received queries from basketball fans over the lack of live, free-to-air coverage of the finals series.
On Friday, June 5, satellite TV provider and content distribution giant Cignal issued a statement after getting questions from fans regarding its coverage of the ongoing finals series between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The said sentiments were aired by viewers and subscribers who were puzzled by the lack of live TV coverage of the games, with the Game 1 having begun on Thursday, June 4 (Manila time).
Clarifying the situation, the multimedia company, which holds the free-to-air rights via One Sports and the pay TV rights through NBA TV Philippines, said that they do not hold the live coverage rights as part of its agreement with the NBA.
“As part of our agreement with the [NBA], Cignal does not hold the rights to air live coverage of the 2026 NBA Finals, as these were granted exclusively to another global platform,” it told.
The company said that despite this, it remains “firmly committed to providing the highest quality sports entertainment, and we continue to serve as the premier destination for the country’s most passionate basketball community.”
In the Philippines, the live broadcast rights of the games have been acquired by streaming giant Prime Video, while the on-demand playback of the games can be streamed via Disney+.
As for Cignal, it only holds the primetime telecast of the games, which will air at 7:00 pm on the same day through One Sports and NBA TV Philippines.
Meanwhile, during the first game, which was held in San Antonio, Texas, the New York Knicks emerged victorious against the San Antonio Spurs on their home court, 105-95.
The second game will take place on Saturday, June 6, at 8:30 pm (Philippine time).
