• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, March 23, 2009

Turner's long-term relationship with the NBA will expand to include short-form programming on Cartoon Network this fall.

Short-form series "My Dad's a Pro," about the children of NBA stars, is scheduled to debut as the 2009 season tips off. Other programming forays for multiple platforms--from online to VOD--are coming, Turner said.

The three-episode "My Dad's a Pro" will coincide with the launch of a basketball section on CartoonNetwork.com.

Stuart Snyder, president and COO of Turner Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media, indicated that Cartoon is looking to move further into sports as a programming genre, saying the NBA deal is "part of the ongoing sports strategy."

The Turner relationship with the NBA includes recently taking over management of NBA.tv, as well as an operational role with NBA.com and the prime-time games carried on TNT. Three decades ago, Turner's TBS carried Atlanta Hawks games to a national audience, when Ted Turner owned both.

"This collaboration is a further extension of the strong business relationship and long-term partnership we have developed with the NBA," said David Levy, president of Turner Sports and Turner Broadcasting Sales.