The NBA upon NBC’s return after a twenty-year absence had a real mic drop.
The opening minutes of the network’s coverage on Tuesday night included a crazy move to replace a microphone that was hampered by audio problems. It prompted host Maria Taylor and analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady to play around the microphone.
Moments after the opening of “NBA Showtime,” NBC’s pregame show for Thunder-Rockets opening night, McGrady began having trouble hearing Taylor before a crackling noise began while he was talking.
The sound prevented viewers from hearing what McGrady, the former NBA All-Star, said. Ultimately, a quick-thinking Carter traded the microphone with McGrady, allowing his analysis to finally be heard.
As the group continued to preview the matchup, someone off-screen handed Taylor a new microphone, which was then given to McGrady.
The audio problems weren’t over, however, as moments later Taylor’s microphone cut out while she was trying to direct the conversation.
“No, not that my mic is dead either,” Taylor said after switching microphones with Anthony when hers stopped working.
The group chuckled and McGrady stepped in to assure fans that they would resolve the minor issues.
“Hey, this is the first night, so it’s not going to be perfect, NBC family. We’re going to do it right,” McGrady said.
“We’re going to do well,” Taylor also added at that point.
The problems disappeared after the first commercial break as the show avoided further audio snafus.
Tuesday marked the return of the NBA to NBC for the first time since 2002.
NBA broadcasts returned to the network as part of an 11-year media rights deal that will see NBC pay $2.5 billion per season.
#NBC #working #issues #NBA #returns #airwaves #years