Manhattan Cable (subsequently referred to as the MSG Network) debuted in the spring of 1969 and did all home events from the Madison Square Garden: New York Knicks basketball, New York Rangers hockey, college basketball, horse shows, Golden Gloves boxing, tennis, the Westminster Dog Show, ice capades, professional wrestling, etc.
When the MSG/HBO marriage ended in 1977, Madison Square Garden proceeded to seek a new partner to launch a national network to show off its events.
When the USA Network signed a three-year (running through the 1981-82 season), $1.5 million deal, it marked the first time that the NBA had a cable television partner.
USA would extend their deal with a two-year contract (along with another cable partner in the form of ESPN) worth a total of $11 million.
[3] USA (as well as ESPN) was ultimately succeeded by TBS, who paid $20 million for two years beginning in the 1984–85 season.
Jim Karvellas and Richie Powers called the early game involving New Jersey at Washington.
Meanwhile, Eddie Doucette and Steve Jones called the late game involving Golden State at Portland.