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NBA Tips Off New Media Era as NBC Returns and 'Inside the NBA' Debuts on ESPN

An 11-year rights reset ends TNT’s game package, shifting national coverage across ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, plus Amazon Prime Video.

Overview

  • Opening night marked NBC’s first national NBA telecast since 2002, complete with the revived Roundball Rock theme and a season-starting doubleheader.
  • ESPN and ABC begin carrying Inside the NBA this week with the full Ernie JohnsonCharles BarkleyShaquille O’NealKenny Smith lineup, while TNT Sports continues producing the show from Atlanta.
  • ESPN lists 20 Inside the NBA dates during the regular season, starting Oct. 22–23, with pregame shows one hour before ESPN tipoffs and 30 minutes before ABC games, plus playoff and Finals coverage to follow.
  • Amazon Prime Video joins the rights mix under an 11-year deal that includes 66 regular-season games, exclusive coverage of all six Play-In Tournament games, early-round playoff windows, and select conference finals, with Thursday and Saturday slates beginning in January.
  • Fans now navigate multiple platforms: NBC/Peacock takes Monday, Tuesday and later Sunday night windows; ESPN/ABC continues key nights and the NBA Finals; Prime Video adds midseason nights; League Pass remains the option for non-national games.