SVT makes a big bet on basketball ahead of the upcoming season which starts on Wednesday. At least 50 matches including all men's finals from both the men's and women's league will be broadcast in SVT during the season. The new venture begins with the high-interest match in the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm between the newcomers Djurgården and last year's semi-finalist Jämtland where large audiences are expected.

- Interest in basketball has increased in Sweden in recent years, especially among young people, so I am glad that we are now really switching up our focus on Swedish basketball, says Åsa Edlund Jönsson, sports manager at SVT.

Johan Stark, secretary general of the Swedish Basketball Association, welcomes the new initiative.

- It is important for Swedish basketball that our leagues advance their positions. SVT is a really good platform and we believe this can create more positive effects for our associations in the form of more public and more partners. A good day for Swedish basketball, says Stark in connection with the message.

At least one top match per week

Previously, SVT has sent championships and qualifiers with the Swedish women's team and now the basketball bet continues with the season's best matches from Sweden's two top leagues. At least one top match from either the men's or women's league during the basic series and the playoffs as well as the entire SM finals series in both leagues will be visible in SVT Play.

- SVT Play is a natural and appreciated place for the audience when it comes to live broadcasts of championships and series, we saw this not least during the football World Cup 2018 when SVT set a Swedish record in streaming, says Åsa Edlund Jönsson, sports director at SVT.

From the women's and men's league, you are looking forward to a season with SVT as a broadcasting company.

- The fact that SVT broadcasts matches in the league makes basketball accessible to more sports enthusiasts. Basketball is an incredibly good public sport. SBL dam is a nursery for young talents and profiles that Amanda Zahui and sisters Eldebrink started their careers in the Swedish league. In addition, SBL ladies attract international players of high class, so the quality of the league is good, says Elisabeth Egnell, chair of the league association for SBL ladies.

- We are really happy that SVT wants to broadcast men's matches and look forward to a successful and long-term cooperation. SBL Herr will be more exciting than in many years. It is a league where quality has increased in recent years. We notice that public interest is increasing, and we notice that many people are looking at a moving image from SBL Herr. Then the collaboration with SVT is just fine for us, so that even more people get access to the Swedish men's basketball, says Sören Westin, chairman of SBL Herr.