KVH Industries and Pilipinas Global Network Limited (PGNL) announced that they reached an agreement to provide coverage of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) full games to merchant ships.
According to the agreement, KVH will distribute PBA games for the 43rd and 44th PBA seasons.
PBA was the first such league in Asia and its popularity throughout the region is widespread. However, many of those fans miss out on seeing games because they serve onboard commercial vessels.
The PBA games will be shown via satellite to vessels subscribed to KVH’s SPORTSlinkTM and IP-MobileCastTM content delivery service for multicasting news, sports, and entertainment at sea.
Onboard, seafarers will be able to see full PBA games on mobile devices, desktops, and televisions.
“PGNL is devoted to bringing the PBA closer to every Filipino overseas. This partnership with KVH is a step toward reaching out to seafarers who would want to experience the PBA while they’re away from home. We work hard to make sure that more Filipinos all over the world get to enjoy quality sports content from PGNL,” noted Ernesto D. Sta. Maria, Jr., PGNL president and CEO.
KVH will also add a new, year-round basketball special edition to its NEWSlinkTM Print service, which provides news to thousands of seafarers on vessels worldwide.
“We are very excited to work with PGNL to bring the PBA to the maritime market. We are committed to providing content experiences that will boost morale and help seafarers feel more connected to home. This is the first opportunity crew will have to really engage with the PBA. Professional basketball is a popular sport among seafarers, and we are confident that watching the games will enhance their time at sea,” Candice Pascal, KVH vice president for content acquisition, concluded.
