The National Basketball Association Wednesday unveiled plans to bypass television and launch NBA TV Broadband, an ad-supported web-based video network that will provide users free online access to "in-game" video highlights of the 2005-06 season, writes MediaPost. Users can also opt to receive the videos via RSS feeds.

Charter advertisers include presenting sponsor Toyota, as well as Reebok, Nike, Converse, Sony PlayStation, Hannspree, Finish Line and 20th Century Fox Home Videos.

The NBA said it initially would not offer live coverage of full games but at least part of the broadband network's coverage would be aligned with a major TV partner - Time Warner's TNT network - and would include "TNT Overtime," an online channel highlighting TNT's coverage of NBA games.

The NBA operates its own NBA TV network, a 24-hour channel featuring highlights of NBA games, and has deals for distributing premium packages with satellite TV providers.