The channel was launched on September 7 , 2001 as Raptors NBA TV , with programming focused on the NBA and other basketball - related programming .
It maintained a particular emphasis on the Toronto Raptors .
The channel was launched on September 7 , 2001 as Raptors NBA TV , with programming focused on the NBA and other basketball - related programming , although it maintained a particular emphasis on the Toronto Raptors .