Sports Media Report
Hearst Media Production Group today announced a licensing agreement for Season 1 and Season 2 episodes of the Emmy® nominated series Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward with Australia’s National Indigenous Television (NITV). The deal provides access to the program for all Australians through broadcast on NITV, and leading Australian streaming destination, SBS On Demand. HMPG produces the show in an exclusive partnership with Herschend Entertainment Studios. The series will form part of NITV’s curated programming acquired from global partners sharing inspiring and compelling stories with Australian audiences, alongside NITV’s locally made and awardwinning news, current affairs, documentaries, drama, entertainment, sports and children’s content exploring, celebrating and elevating Indigenous storytelling and perspectives.
In the U.S., the weekly series recently launched its third season on NBC’s “The More You Know” educational/informational (E/I) programming block; Season 2 of Harlem Globetrotters: Ganando Con La Comunidad currently airs on Telemundo (times may vary; check local listings). Since 1951, the Harlem Globetrotters have been recognized by the U.S. State Department as “ambassadors of extraordinary good will.” The series honors and highlights people and community organizations supporting extraordinary causes including education, health and wellness, and community empowerment. “Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward is an excellent fit for NITV and its viewers.
The Globetrotters are an iconic, globally recognizable brand, with broad appeal across demographics,” said Andrew Tew, HMPG senior vice president, global licensing & distribution. Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward averages 1.3 million total weekly U.S. viewers across all platforms and has experienced solid growth in multiple demographics including a 17% increase of viewership in the coveted P25-54 demo for its current season. The series has earned two Daytime Emmy® nominations, five Cynopsis Awards and 25 national Telly Awards. Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward is also available on NBC.com and NBC VOD. Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward is part of HMPG’s current program portfolio comprised of more than 30 weekly series and hundreds of hours of content annually on leading broadcast networks and station groups and on connected T V and streaming platforms. It has a library of more than 5,000 hours of programming and its content can be found in 97 countries.
