MUMBAI: UK broadcaster Sky Sports has signed a new deal with the NBA to cover games and programming, for the next three seasons. In India the NBA airs on ESPN Star Sports.

Each year Sky Sports will show 48 games, either live or delayed-in-full, from the regular season followed by up to 13 live games from the NBA Playoffs. Every game of the best-of-seven Finals will then be shown live. The broadcaster will also air the annual NBA All-Star Game that will be played on 20 February in Denver.

To support the game coverage Sky Sports will broadcast NBA's weekly magazine show, NBA Action,. The show showcases the best of the week's action and provides the inside track on the NBA.

Sky Sports claims that British interest in basketball is greater than ever. Three British players play in the NBA.

NBA executive VP, global media properties and marketing partnerships Heidi Ueberroth said, "Sky Sports continues to lead the way in UK sports coverage and we are thrilled to extend our partnership for another three seasons. The NBA and basketball in general continues to increase in global popularity and we are pleased Sky will feature NBA programming from the start of the season through to the Finals for the growing number of fans in the UK."