The NBA's beloved show "Inside the NBA" is set to expand its reach starting in the 2025-26 season, offering fans a broader viewing experience across additional networks. This development comes as part of an exciting new broadcasting agreement unveiled by the NBA, TNT Sports, and ESPN.
A Historic Agreement
The newly announced agreement marks a significant moment in sports broadcasting, as it also signifies the resolution of a legal dispute between the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery. Critical to this agreement is the continuation of "Inside the NBA," which will be produced independently by TNT Sports in Atlanta. Committed to excellence, TNT Sports secured an 11-year contract to ensure the show's continuity.
Star-Studded Lineup
The engaging on-air team of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, and Ernie Johnson will remain at the heart of this iconic show. They will continue to grace high-profile NBA events across the various networks involved in the agreement. Their chemistry and insightful analysis have long been a staple of "Inside the NBA," much to the delight of basketball fans around the globe.
Expanding Content and Reach
Alongside this agreement, ESPN and TNT Sports have made a strategic swap involving broadcast rights. Starting in 2025, ESPN will trade its exclusive rights to 13 Big 12 football games and 15 Big 12 basketball games each season to TNT Sports. This exchange highlights a shift in how sports content is produced and shared, aiming to benefit both networks and their audiences.
TNT Sports is also set to gain a global license that allows them to create, produce, and distribute NBA content. This arrangement will see TNT Sports-produced content featured on the NBA's official website and app, potentially reaching a wider audience than ever before.
International Opportunities
In further developments, Warner Bros. Discovery has secured a package of live games for broadcast outside of the United States. This aspect of the agreement underscores the NBA's commitment to growing its international footprint and making the sport more accessible to a global audience.
Continuing Traditions
Meanwhile, ESPN will remain deeply involved in NBA programming, continuing to produce "NBA Countdown" as part of the new broadcasting structure. This continuity ensures that fans can still enjoy ESPN's unique perspective and coverage on NBA events.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver encapsulated the sentiment surrounding this new phase for the league, stating, "The opportunity to continue the iconic and Emmy Award-winning 'Inside the NBA' is a huge win for basketball fans everywhere." This statement reflects the widespread appreciation for the beloved program and its hosts, whose dynamic presentations have become synonymous with quality basketball coverage.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, fans can look forward to a richer, more interconnected basketball viewing experience, with enhanced content and coverage spanning local and international boundaries. This landmark agreement between the NBA, TNT Sports, and ESPN promises to redefine the relationship between the league's fans and the game they love. The evolution of content distribution and collaboration among these major sports media players sets a precedent for future broadcasting arrangements in the sports world.