Inside the NBA' to air on ESPN/ABC next season

Inside the NBA" is set to be broadcast on ESPN and ABC starting next season, following a settlement between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA, as reported by various sources. Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent organization of TNT Sports, initiated legal action against the NBA in New York state court after the league declined to accept the company's matching proposal for one of the packages in its new 11-year media rights agreement, which is scheduled to commence with the 2025-26 season. The deadline for dismissing the lawsuit is Tuesday. Although "Inside the NBA" will transition to ESPN and ABC for the 2025-26 season, TNT Sports will continue to produce the acclaimed studio program, which will be filmed in Atlanta, except during road shows. The ensemble cast of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal will remain intact. Barkley signed a contract extension with WBD in August, despite the company's loss of rights to broadcast NBA games in the United States starting next season. TNT Sports will retain the rights to air a comprehensive package of games in select international markets, including several in Latin America and Poland.

ABC/ESPN, Comcast (NBC/Peacock), and Amazon are set to broadcast the NBA's nationally televised games from the 2025-26 season through the 2035-36 season, following an 11-year agreement that is projected to generate approximately $76 billion for the NBA. "Inside the NBA" is anticipated to be featured during significant events on the league's calendar, including opening night, Christmas Day, the playoffs, and the NBA Finals. Additionally, it is expected to air on Saturday nights during the latter half of the season, coinciding with ABC's prime-time game package. The agreement also grants TNT Sports, Bleacher Report, and House of Highlights a global content license for NBA material without any rights fee for the next 11 years. Warner Bros. Discovery will maintain its partnership with the league's digital operations, including NBA.com, for an additional five seasons. Although TNT Sports will cease airing games in the United States starting next season, it retains the rights to broadcast a comprehensive package of games in select international markets, including Latin America (excluding Brazil) and Poland. ESPN, TNT Sports, and the NBA did not provide comments when approached by The Athletic. Turner Sports has held an NBA package since 1984, with games being broadcast on TNT since the network's inception in 1988; this arrangement will conclude after the current season.