WNBA on Oxygen | |
---|---|
Genre | WNBA basketball telecasts |
Directed by | Suzanne Smith[1] |
Starring | Debbie Antonelli Krista Blunk Swin Cash Heather Cox Eric Frede Mark Morgan Beth Mowins Sue Wicks |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 3 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Lydia Stephans |
Camera setup | Multi-camera |
Running time | 120 minutes+ |
Production company | Oxygen Sports |
Original release | |
Network | Oxygen |
Release | June 4, 2002 2004 | –
Related | |
WNBA on ABC WNBA on ESPN WNBA on NBC |
The WNBA on Oxygen refers to the presentation of Women's National Basketball Association games on the Oxygen[2] pay television channel. Prior to 2005,[3] the channel carried a limited schedule of regular season WNBA games produced by NBA TV. Oxygen had de facto picked up the games that previously aired on Lifetime.[4][5] Oxygen's first WNBA telecast was on June 4, 2002.[6]
Oxygen's relationship with the WNBA began with a two-year agreement[7] that called for them to televise a minimum of 11 games on Tuesday[8] nights during the 2002 season and weekly games[9] as well as playoff action during the 2003 season. Oxygen joined NBC,[10][11][12] ESPN[13] and ESPN2[14] in televising WNBA games for the 2002 season. The deal called for NBA Productions[15] to produce the games, and the league would sell the ad time.[16][17] Oxygen meanwhile, would get promotional spots during the games. Oxygen however, would provide the announcers[18] and handle the halftime on-air duties themselves. Oxygen's halftime reports were sponsored by AIG VALIC.
For the 2003 season, Oxygen averaged a 0.2 rating[19] for its 13-game regular-season WNBA schedule. They were also expected to air at least two playoff games (such as Game 3s[20] of the WNBA conference semifinals[21][22]), with the possibility of airing up to four. By 2004,[23] Oxygen's ratings dropped to a 0.1 from a 0.2, though only five games aired on the network that year compared with 13 from 2003.[24][25]