NBC Sports Philadelphia has jacked up its 76ers broadcast lineup with a massive dose of sports betting info for the 2019-20 season.
Of course, it may not be the betting info driving viewership to new highs with the team off to a hot start, along with no defeats at home. However, it could play a part.
NBC having its best Sixers season
NBC Sports Philly is currently on track to have its highest-rated season in recent memory for Sixers broadcasts, according to spokeswoman Maureen Quilter of NBC Universal.
Viewership of the games is up 38% over last season at the same point, she said.
And through 20 games, 173,000 unique devices have streamed the 2019-20 Philadelphia 76ers, which is on-pace to be the most-streamed season in terms of uniques ever for the 76ers, she added.
Pre- and post-game shows are also up, according to viewer data.
Viewer engagement is key
“For NBC Sports Philly, it is a really exciting time for us to be the first in this space, and to provide fans another opportunity to engage with the Sixers and us in a new and way,” she said.
But Quilter added it is not possible to say if the betting info is a primary reason for an increase in viewers, though they have integrated betting data into all aspects of their coverage.
“The idea behind our Sixers NBC Sports BetCast is to improve the engagement level, to keep fans interested throughout. That being said, it’s hard to map a direct correlation to Nielsen averages at this point.”
But there is no denying bettering engagement seems to be working for NBC Sports Philly, she added:
We’re always looking for new ways to increase viewer engagement so the ability to have this alternative broadcast for Sixers games on NBC Sports Philadelphia presents a perfect opportunity for us to do so. We also incorporated sports betting information into our pre and postgame shows, we air a simulcast of The Daily Line radio program on NBC Sports Philadelphia+, and air a Betting Break weekdays in the Mike Missanelli Show
Sports betting has gone mainstream
NBC has pumped up its betting content just as the Sixers have also embraced sports wagering.
The hoop team recently signed deals with FOX Bet, Parx Casino, and Caesars Entertainment/Harrah’s Philadelphia.
BetCast Sixers schedule
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, “NBC Sports BetCast: 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets” airs at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Philadelphia+.
Additional Sixers BetCast broadcasts, all at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated, are:
- Dec. 13: New Orleans Pelicans
- Jan. 6: Oklahoma City Thunder
- Feb 7: Memphis Grizzlies
- Feb. 9: @ 6 p.m. Chicago Bulls
- Feb. 24: Atlanta Hawks
- Feb. 27: New York Knicks
- March 18: Toronto Raptors
Marc Farzetta hosts the show and sports betting expert Brad Feinberg, an analyst on NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Betting Break, and Anthony Gargano from 97.5 The Fanatic.
During the game, Farzetta, Feinberg, and Gargano focus on topics such as betting odds and how the flow of the game impacts the lines
Enhanced on-screen graphics are focused on real-time sports betting data, integrated into the program, meant to complement the hosts’ commentary and analysis.
NBC flooding the Sixers coverage
NBC Sports Philadelphia has further amped up sports betting programming with the addition of The Daily Line radio show. That show airs weekday afternoons on NBC Sports Philadelphia+, plus coverage in all pre/postgame programs, as well as Quick Slants and The Mike Missanelli Show.
The broadcast team of Marc Zumoff, Alaa Abdelnaby, and Serena Winters are calling the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.