How to Watch the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, Halftime Show & More Without Cable

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Now that the Super Bowl is behind us, sports fans can set their sights on the NBA All-Star Game. The 2023 NBA All-Star weekend launches on Friday (Feb. 17).

From the slam dunk contest to the halftime show, keep reading for the NBA All-Star Weekend details and how to watch without cable.

NBA All-Star Game Schedule

When and where is All-Star Weekend? This year’s events will be held in Salt Lake City from Feb. 17-19.

21 Savage, Cordae, Janelle Monáe, Ozuna, Nicky Jam and more will suit up for the Ruffles Celeb Game airing Friday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN followed by the Jordan Rising Stars three-game mini-tournament on TNT (click here for tickets).

Saturday’s schedule includes the NBA All-Star Practice Presented by AT&T at 1 p.m. ET on NBA TV, NBA x HBCU Classic Presented by AT&T at 4 p.m. ET on NBA TV, TNT and ESPN2; and the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night — featuring the Kia Skills Challenge, Starry 3-Point Contest and AT&T Slam Dunk — at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

Welcoming fans to State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will be Creed III stars Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors.

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game goes down at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on Sunday at 8 p.m ET. Tickets are still available for the game and other events.

(Find the full 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend schedule here.)

Who’s Performing at the 2023 All-Star Game?

Burna Boy, Tems and Rema will headline the halftime show with an Afrobeats-themed performance. After the halftime show, LeBron James will be honored for becoming the league’s all-time scorer.

Post Malone is set to perform a medley of hits during pre-game show at 6 p.m. ET on TNT. The All-Star Draft Presented by Jordan Brand will take place before the game at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Actor Vin Diesel will introduce the All-Star Game players. Grammy-nominated singer, and Utah native, Jewel will perform the national anthem while platinum-selling Toronto artist Jully Black will perform Canada’s anthem.

2023 NBA All-Star: How to Watch the Game, Halftime Show & Other Events Online

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game begins on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET (TNT coverage starts at 6:00 p.m.). The game will broadcast on TNT, which gives you different options when it comes to streaming.

If you already have TNT through a cable, internet or satellite provider, you can watch or stream the NBA All-Star game on your TV or online from any location.

No cable? Streaming plans tend to be cheaper than cable, plus you don’t have to worry about renting (and returning) a cable box. The 2023 NBA All-Star Game will be streaming on platforms like SlingTV, and Fubo (Vidgo offers ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes but not TNT).

Philo is certainly a more affordable streaming option at $25 a month, but the streamer does not carry TNT. However, Sling TV has TNT and other sports, news and entertainment channels for just $20 for the first month (regular $40/month).

DirectTV Stream is another decent option for live television — it’s not very expensive and you can get perks like free HBO Max with select plans and a free trial for five days. The streaming start at $74.99/month for 75+ channels. Hulu + Live TV is around the same price for 85+ channels and access to Disney+ and ESPN+.

Sport lovers who want to stream the NBA All-Star Game internationally can do so with ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Additionally certain All-Star Weekend events can be streamed on the NBA app, including Saturday’s NBA All-Star Media Day Presented by AT&T (1 p.m. ET),

Adam Silver’s news conference on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET will air on NBA TV and stream on the NBA app. The same goes for the NBA Legends Awards on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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Layoffs Hit Motown Records Amid Capitol Reintegration

Staff at Motown Records were hit with news of layoffs Thursday (Feb. 16) as the label gets reintegrated under the Capitol Music Group (CMG) umbrella, multiple sources tell Billboard. The number of people and departments affected are unknown as of press time.

A spokesperson for Motown Records confirmed the layoffs to Billboard. “As Motown returns to the Capitol family, certain positions that had been created when we became a stand-alone label have since become duplicative,” the person said in a statement. “These employees are leaving the company and our People, Inclusion and Culture department is helping them find new opportunities — either within or outside of UMG.”

Layoffs were feared by staffers since chairwoman/CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam’s sudden announcement of her departure on Nov. 29, at which point the future of Motown — which had been spun out of the Capitol Music Group into a standalone label in March 2021, with Habtemariam promoted to the top title — was unclear. In the weeks that followed, it emerged that Motown would be consolidated once again into CMG, at which point the prospect of layoffs loomed.

Motown had been under the CMG umbrella since 2014 when Universal Music Group (UMG) dissolved the Island Def Jam Music Group and moved Motown to Los Angeles to operate out of the Capitol Tower. Habtemariam, who had been president of Motown since that year, oversaw the shift from New York to L.A. and in 2015 led the signing of Motown’s landmark partnership with Atlanta-based Quality Control, which brought Migos, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, City Girls and others to the label. That led to a surge in interest, signings and market share for Motown, resulting in the establishment of the label as a standalone frontline in 2021, with Habtemariam given the chairman/CEO title. (Last week, Quality Control was acquired by HYBE America in a deal worth $300 million in cash and stock.)

However, just 20 months after assuming that role, Habtemariam announced she was leaving UMG entirely to “pursue new endeavors,” departing a label that had been energized in recent years without a clear leader. As a standalone label, Motown maintained its own A&R and marketing departments, though it shared services such as radio promotion with Capitol.

CMG is run by Michelle Jubelirer, who was promoted from COO to chair/CEO in December 2021, succeeding Jeff Vaughn, who lasted just a year in the role. Jubelirer oversees a record group that also encompasses Blue Note, Astralwerks and Capitol Christian Music Group, in addition to Motown. While its market share remains under CMG, in September indie distributor Virgin was consolidated alongside Ingrooves and mTheory into the Virgin Music Group, whose co-CEOs report directly to UMG chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge.

Motown is the latest music company to undergo layoffs in recent months, as the global economy’s outlook remains uncertain. The tech sector was hit particularly hard in that respect, with Amazon, Google/YouTube, Spotify, Twitter, SoundCloud, BMI and others shedding jobs; many cited the dwindling advertising market, which has stubbornly retracted. In October, Grainge himself addressed the advertising market’s downturn when speaking about UMG’s third quarter financials, noting that ad-supported streaming revenue grew slower than expected, up just 5.2% over the third quarter period of 2021, though it was offset by increases in other sectors such as subscription, licensing, tour merchandising and publishing.

In 2022, Motown had raised its overall market share to 0.97%, up from 0.90% in 2021. In terms of current market share — music released over the most recent 18 months — Motown grew its share from 1.18% in 2021 to 1.33% in 2022. It had remained part of Capitol’s market share during that period, despite its ostensible status as a standalone entity. Capitol’s overall market share declined from 6.81% in 2021 to 6.40% in 2022, while its current share dropped from 5.64% in 2021 to 4.97% in 2022.

Additional reporting by Gail Mitchell.

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Kelly Clarkson Enlists ‘The Voice’ Star Corey Ward for ‘Once’ Duet

Kelly Clarkson brought a special guest to help open the Thursday (Feb. 16) episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show: Corey Ward of The Voice.

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To kick off the “Kellyoke” duet, the superstar and her former protégé harmonized on “Falling Slowly” from John Carney’s 2007 musical film Once. “I don’t know you but I want you all the more for that,” Ward crooned, strumming an acoustic guitar before Clarkson joined him in singing the chorus: “Take this sinking boat and point it home/ We’ve still got time/ Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice/ You’ve made it now/ Falling slowly, sing your melody/ I’ll sing along.”

Ward was part of Team Kelly back in 2021 during Season 20, where he was eliminated in the Live Semifinal round before Cam Anthony eventually took the trophy for Blake Shelton’s team. Some of his most memorable performances on The Voice include his audition with Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” as well as covers of Clarkson’s “Already Gone,” Lewis Capaldi’s “Bruises” and “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.

Later in the show, Clarkson interviewed Ward about his time on the reality singing competition, his mom’s cancer diagnosis — which led him to initially audition for Season 19 — as well as his new single “Close to Love.”

In recent days, the original American Idol winner has also covered everything from Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again,” Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack,” Camille Yarbrough’s Fatboy Slim-sampling “Take Yo’ Praise” and more.

Watch Clarkson and Ward duet on “Falling Slowly” below.

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LEGO Is Releasing a BTS Set Inspired by the ‘Dynamite’ Music Video: Here’s Where You Can Buy It

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BTS has a “dynamite” new collaboration with LEGO that drops early next month, the toy giant announced on Thursday (Feb. 16). The forthcoming LEGO Ideas BTS Dynamite music video set retails for $99.99 and will be available on March 1.

Fans can tap into their inner LEGO builder, recreate scenes from the “Dynamite” music video and more with brick versions of the disco, record store, donut store, ice cream truck and other pieces from the visual. The set includes danceable minifigures of RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook carrying tiny microphones.

LEGO Ideas BTS Dynamite Set
$99.99 (available March 1, 2023)
Buy Now 1

Designed for ages 18 and older, the play-and-display collectible set features 749 pieces including buildable palm trees, a main building that stands 5.5-inches tall and the basketball hoop in front of the wall with a mural like the one from the music video.

A step-by-step booklet comes included in the package along with instructions, details on BTS’ rise to global superstardom and interviews with LEGO designers.  

The LEGO Ideas BTS Dynamite set (21139) was originally submitted by fans Josh and Jacob in 2021. “Josh did the building and design work and, as a massive BTS fan, I told him what needed to be in it, what details were most important. It was a really fun process,” Jacob told LEGO.

“Jacob had the BTS knowledge, and he was able to direct my build in the proper way. I watched the music video over and over and tried to capture its essence in the LEGO bricks,” added Josh. “It was insane when the project went viral online overnight.”

“When we saw Josh and Jacob’s colorful design we knew it would be a hit and this was proved by how quickly they reached 10,000 views in the LEGO Ideas voting,” said Federico Begher, Head of LEGO Product Group. “The BTS fans have already got behind the design and so it was important that we were as faithful to the original creation as possible. The set highlights creativity, passion and most importantly, fun! We can’t wait to see the fans building and displaying it.”

The BTS Dynamite set will be available on at LEGO stores and LEGO.com/shop on March 1. In the meantime, click here to shop our list of gift ideas for the BTS ARMY.

See more on the LEGO BTS Dynamite Set below.

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Mustang Talks Galloping Away From ‘Masked Singer,’ Belting a Rock Classic

Spoiler alert: This story contains information about contestants eliminated on Wednesday’s (Feb. 15) episode of The Masked Singer.

The ninth season of Fox’s The Masked Singer launched with formidable competition, with night one seeing the Mustang—an Academy of Country Music award-winning artist—galloping off into the sunset on the season’s premiere episode.

The evening featured Mustang showing off some serious vocal power on the Whitesnake classic “Here I Go Again,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987. It was an unexpected song choice from this sometimes traditional-leaning country vocalist. Guesses from judges ran the gamut, from P!nk to Suzanne Somers, with only one judge picking up on the hint of twang in Mustang’s voice — and even then, guessing (incorrectly) that Mustang might be Wynonna Judd.

Guesses for Nancy Wilson and Joan Jett were also tossed into the mix, before it was revealed that hiding under the decadent red-and-black costume was “A Little Bit Stronger” singer Sara Evans.

Before her elimination, Evans spoke with Billboard about singing the Whitesnake classic, her reactions to the judges’ guesses and why she didn’t tell her family members she was competing on The Masked Singer.

What drew you to being part of The Masked Singer?

I thought it would be fun and something different to experience, and of course, being on television is good for anyone’s career. It’s also different from our normal routine of writing and touring, so any chance I get to do something different and exciting, it gives you a new energy.

Had you watched the show before?

I had watched maybe a handful of episodes. I didn’t realize everything that went into it and it’s just incredible and the secrecy is so fun. Some of my good friends, Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, I saw their time on the show.

Did they give you any advice on the show?

They were just like, “The costume can be claustrophobic, just know that going into it and they’ll do what they can to help you feel comfortable.” But it was great because my costume was, aside from a big horse head, which was heavy, it was really just like leather pants and a leather top. It wasn’t too restrictive.

How did you decide on the Mustang as a costume choice?

Producers and people sometimes help with those decisions. They came to me with that idea and I loved it. It was great because I grew up on a farm and I grew up on a horse and adore horses. There couldn’t have been anything better.

You performed “Here I Go Again” from Whitesnake, and also did the battle round, performing Rihanna’s “Diamonds.” Those were perhaps unexpected choices for you.

I was going to be on a different episode, doing ABBA Night. But then someone had to drop out and the producers asked me if I would fill in for that person and take their songs to be on the first episode of The Masked Singer instead. So I already knew the Whitesnake song; of course, everyone knows it, but I got it at like 11:30 the night before we had to film it, at the last minute. Everyone was really appreciative, though, and I ended up having so much fun singing the Whitesnake song, especially.

The judges had some great guesses—P!nk and Joan Jett among them. Were you surprised by any of their guesses?

I was flattered. Everyone they guessed, I was like, “Oh, my god. I’m a fan of hers, and hers, and she’s a legend.” It was great. I felt like it was a huge compliment.

It sounded like you didn’t tell anyone in your family that you were going to be on the show.

Yeah, ’cause I wanted my kids to be surprised and I didn’t trust my mom not to tell people. [laughs] I’m going to tell my mom and siblings and everyone tonight, like around five or six o’clock and ask them to watch.

What is coming up for you, musically?

I’m gonna make a new album. I’m still writing songs for it, and we will go into the studio probably around April and start recording it. I haven’t had an album out since 2020, so that will be a big part of our year. We’re also on the road. We usually do about 80 shows a year and that starts next week, so we are just always busy working and on the road.

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Bizarrap & Shakira Crown Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Chart for a Fourth Week

Bizarrap and Shakira add a fourth week atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” rules the Feb. 11-dated ranking. It’s the third “Music Session” by BIzarrap to crown the chart for at least four weeks, after “Vol. 38,” with L-Gante (seven weeks, 2021), and “Vol. 52,” with Quevedo (eight weeks in charge, July-Sept. 2022).

Titles No. 2 through No. 5 hold steady at their same rankings, starting with Luck Ra’s “Ya No Vuelvas,” featuring La K’Onga and Ke Personajes, at No. 2, “Muñecas” by TINI, La Joaqui and Steve Aoki, at No. 3, Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” at No. 4, and Cris Mj, Duki and Nicki Nicole’s “Marisola,” featuring Standly, at No. 5.

Further, Big One, Emilia and Callejero Fino each add a new career top 10 to their Billboard Argentina accounts with “En La Intimidad,” their first collaboration and the Hot Shot Debut of the week, at No. 9.

Argentinian Lil Cake secures her first top 10 as “Mercho,” with Migrantes, which also features Nico Valdi, climbs 14-10. It’s the second top 10 for cumbia-based band Migrantes who scored its first champ with first chart entry “Si Me Tomo Una Cerveza,” with Alicos, in 2021. Valdi concurrently claims his first top 10 with first chart visit.

Further, Callejero Fino’s “Que Te Vaya Bien” notches the Greatest Gainer honors as it rallies 95-57 (a 38-position climb).

Lastly, the chart boats three other debuts starting with “Quiero Creer” by Luck Ra, La T Y La Ma and Rusherking at No. 38, “Christian Nodal and TINI’s “Por El Resto De Tu Vida” at No. 63, and Feid’s “Normal” at No. 92.

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