Netvision bags rights to webcast PBA games

By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 03:23pm (Mla time) 10/18/2007



BANGALORE, India -- Filipino startup Netvision Inc. has bagged the rights to broadcast the Philippine Basketball Association games on the Internet, the company said Thursday.

Netvision's business model involves a pay-per view and a subscription service to its video and live streaming content, but from October 14 to November 30, the company will allow registered users to watch games of the oldest professional basketball league in the Philippines through its Internet TV service.

"We at neTVision are so excited to announce the newest content acquisition which we would like to offer to our valued members. Get ready as neTVision partners with the Philippine Basketball Association to showcase their 33rd season thru webTV," the company said in a e-mailed newsletter to registered subscribers.

Netvision started operations in January 2007. It is primarily focused on providing Filipino on-demand movies, streaming video and music.

INQUIRER.net has reported that Netvision has been negotiating with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Philippine Basketball League to stream their "live" games through its webTV service.

Netvision has partnered with Solar and Regal for more local content, mainly Filipino movies. It has also started adding two streaming channels from RPN 9 and Living Asia.

The local startup is also starting to sell local independently produced or “indie” films.

There is an estimated 8 million Filipinos working overseas. The company is now working on breaking into the Indian and Chinese markets through a holdings firm established in Hong Kong, company officials said.