Cignal TV has addressed viewer confusion regarding its 2026 NBA Finals coverage following a wave of complaints over the delayed broadcast of Game 1 between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
The network clarified that it does not possess the live broadcast rights for this year’s NBA Finals in the Philippines, revealing that the exclusive live transmission privileges were secured by Amazon’s streaming service, Prime Video.
The statement was issued after basketball fans expressed frustration online when Game 1 was aired on a delayed basis, a stark departure from previous seasons when the pay-TV provider regularly broadcasted the championship series live.
“As part of our agreement with the National Basketball Association (NBA), Cignal does not hold the rights to air live coverage of the 2026 NBA Finals, as these were granted exclusively to another global platform,” the company said.
While Cignal still maintains broadcasting rights for the regular season and select playoff matchups—sharing some content with other platforms like Disney+—the company verified that the championship series is no longer part of its live broadcast portfolio.
Local basketball enthusiasts looking to watch the NBA Finals live can still access the games through Prime Video or via the league’s standalone streaming service, NBA League Pass.
This sudden shift in broadcasting rights has sparked disappointment among traditional television viewers who have long relied on Cignal’s free-to-air network, One Sports, and its premium cable channel, NBA TV Philippines, for live postseason action.
Despite losing the live crown jewel event, Cignal reassured its subscribers that it remains dedicated to broadcasting top-tier sports programming across the country.
“Cignal remains firmly committed to providing the highest quality sports entertainment, and we continue to serve as the premier destination for the country’s most passionate basketball community,” it said.