Disney Introduces Animated NBA Broadcast to Compete with NFL on Christmas

The 'Dunk the Halls' simulcast on Disney+ transforms Knicks-Spurs players into cartoon avatars in a bid to attract younger audiences.

Disney+ aired its first-ever animated NBA simulcast, 'Dunk the Halls,' featuring cartoon versions of players like Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson alongside Disney characters.
The alternative broadcast was designed to compete with two NFL games airing on Christmas Day, a first-time scheduling conflict for the NBA and NFL.
The NBA's traditional broadcast of the Knicks vs. Spurs game remained available on ESPN, while the animated version included a halftime dunk contest and a setting in Disney World's Main Street, USA.
Disney has previously experimented with animated sports broadcasts, including NFL altcasts featuring Toy Story and The Simpsons, which were praised for engaging younger viewers.
The initiative reflects Disney's broader strategy to innovate its content offerings and address declining NBA viewership during high-stakes competition with the NFL.