NBA TV Launching Newsmagazine, 'True NBA'

By Alex Weprin 

NBA TV is getting into the newsmagazine game, launching a new series called “True NBA.” The series is hosted by CNN anchor John King, who will be joined by a team of NBA analysts and correspondents.

Each hour-long episode will explore four topics that go beyond simple NBA reporting, and into stories that affect the culture as a whole.

NBA TV is part of NBA Digital, a company which is jointly managed by the league and Turner Sports. The partnership allows the NBA to leverage Turner’s TV and digital prowess. CNN is also owned by Turner, hence the addition of King to the program.

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Sports newsmagazines have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Once a staple on HBO with programs like “Real Sports,” the format has spread to ESPN with “E:60” and now the league-owned networks.

The first installment of “True NBA will feature:

§ TNT’s Emmy Award winning essayist and reporter Jim Huber looks at the 50th Anniversary of the Minneapolis Lakers near-deadly plane crash in Iowa: Huber tells the story of how close the Lakers franchise came to never realizing its lofty status.

§ NBA TV Insider David Aldridge takes a look at former NBA player Manute Bol’s legacy: Aldridge recounts Bol’s remarkable journey from Sudan to the NBA and how now, after his passing, his vision of helping his home country lives on.

§ CNN’s John King Follows Former NBA Center Chris Dudley’s run for Governor of Oregon: King takes viewers down to the wire on Election Day as Dudley’s political future hung in the balance.

§ NBA TV studio analyst Rick Fox sits down with Los Angeles Clippers rookie Blake Griffin: Fox talks to this year’s breakout rookie about coming back from injury, his upbringing and the signature move that has produced so many electrifying highlights.

More information, after the jump.

NBA TV Premieres its First Newsmagazine

True NBA , Hosted by CNN’s John King

Hour-long Debut Offers Unique Perspective on Stories from the NBA’s Past and Present

“NBA Unscripted: New York Knicks,” Provides All-Access Pass to New-Look Team

NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour network, will premiere its first newsmagazine, True NBA, on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. (ET). Hosted by CNN’s John King, and supported by an expert panel of NBA TV analysts and correspondents consisting of Kevin McHale, Chris Webber, and David Aldridge, the hour-long True NBA will feature four exclusive stories that go beyond traditional sports reporting to look at dynamic players and memorable events that have impacted the NBA.

Prior to the debut of True NBA, NBA TV will air “NBA Unscripted: New York Knicks,” at 6 p.m. ET. The second installment of the series focuses on the resurgence of the Knicks behind their newly acquired superstar, Amar’e Stoudemire, and a revamped roster.

“True NBA”

The debut episode of True NBA, featuring King, anchor of CNN’s John King, USA, will include the following stories:

§ TNT’s Emmy Award winning essayist and reporter Jim Huber looks at the 50th Anniversary of the Minneapolis Lakers near-deadly plane crash in Iowa: Huber tells the story of how close the Lakers franchise came to never realizing its lofty status.

§ NBA TV Insider David Aldridge takes a look at former NBA player Manute Bol’s legacy: Aldridge recounts Bol’s remarkable journey from Sudan to the NBA and how now, after his passing, his vision of helping his home country lives on.

§ CNN’s John King Follows Former NBA Center Chris Dudley’s run for Governor of Oregon: King takes viewers down to the wire on Election Day as Dudley’s political future hung in the balance.

§ NBA TV studio analyst Rick Fox sits down with Los Angeles Clippers rookie Blake Griffin: Fox talks to this year’s breakout rookie about coming back from injury, his upbringing and the signature move that has produced so many electrifying highlights.

“NBA Unscripted: New York Knicks”

NBA Unscripted: New York Knicks” traces the many storylines surrounding the Knicks, including Amar’e Stoudemire’s leadership, the special connection between New York City and the game of basketball, the great Knick teams of the 1970’s and ’90’s, and the current transformation and revival of the franchise.

Through an inside look at practices, training rooms, and private film sessions, the hour-long show follows the Knicks through their training camp in Europe, their early season ups and downs, and their recent winning streak behind the outstanding play of Stoudemire – which has rekindled the hopes of the passionate New York fans. Also featured in “NBA Unscripted” are two of the links to the team’s glory days: 1970’s icon Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier and 1990’s sparkplug John Starks.

The first episode, “NBA Unscripted: The Countdown” debuted in October and looked at the revamped Miami Heat and the superstar trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and the defending Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics’ veteran big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen as the teams headed toward a highly-anticipated opening night meeting.

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

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