YouTube has launched an NBA Channel featuring game highlights and other original content uploaded by the NBA along with videos submitted by YouTube users. Dubbed “Post Up the NBA,” the user-submitted content will be rated by viewers, and each week’s top videos will be assembled into an “NBA Top 10 on YouTube” highlight reel. The highlights will air on the NBA’s cable channel.
Although the NBA encourages uploading of videos by users, they retain the right to remove any of the material. The YouTube “Claim Your Content” screening system will be used to identify and report copyright-infringing videos, but instead of simply taking video down, the NBA will have the option of receiving a share of any generated ad revenue.
The NBA and the NHL are the only two major U.S. sports leagues to have signed content deals with YouTube.
