Warner Bros. Discovery has reached a major settlement with the NBA, securing a new partnership that will last for 11 years. This deal gives Warner Bros. Discovery the rights to produce NBA content in the U.S., parts of Europe, and Latin America. However, one significant change is coming: TNT will no longer air NBA games in the U.S. after this season ends.
Despite this shift, the fan-favorite show “Inside the NBA” will continue to air, but it will move to ESPN and ABC starting next season. This move is part of the new agreement between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA, which was announced on Monday. Although the games are leaving TNT, the show itself will still be produced by TNT Sports and broadcast from Atlanta, except when the crew is on the road.
The show’s beloved hosts—Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal—will remain onboard. Charles Barkley even signed an extension with Warner Bros. Discovery in August, despite the company losing NBA game rights.
ESPN’s chairman, Jimmy Pitaro, expressed excitement about bringing “Inside the NBA” into their lineup, calling it one of the most impactful shows in sports. He noted how the team’s chemistry and insight will enhance ESPN’s NBA coverage, especially during key moments like the NBA Finals, conference finals, and playoffs. The show will also be featured during regular-season events like opening week, Christmas Day games, and marquee matchups throughout the season.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver echoed this sentiment, praising “Inside the NBA” as an iconic show that basketball fans love. He also emphasized the continued partnership with TNT Sports, which will help promote NBA content across various platforms owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and the NBA.
Since its debut in 1989, “Inside the NBA” has become a cultural staple in sports broadcasting, earning 21 Sports Emmy Awards over the years. The show’s current host lineup has been together for years, with Ernie Johnson taking over in 1990, Kenny Smith joining full-time in 1998, Barkley in 2000, and Shaq in 2011.
In addition to this new arrangement for “Inside the NBA,” ESPN will keep producing its own NBA studio shows like “NBA Countdown” and “NBA Today.”
As part of the settlement with Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT Sports, Bleacher Report, and House of Highlights have secured a global license to use NBA content for the next 11 years without paying a rights fee. Warner Bros. Discovery will also maintain its relationship with NBA Digital for five more seasons, continuing a partnership that began in 2009.
Though TNT Sports won’t broadcast NBA games in the U.S. anymore, it will still air games in select countries such as parts of Latin America (excluding Brazil and Mexico), Poland, and some Nordic nations like Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
TNT Sports is also diving deeper into college sports. Starting next season, TNT will broadcast 13 Big 12 football games and 15 men’s basketball games through a sublicense with ESPN. On top of that, TNT will air two College Football Playoff games starting this season.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s involvement with NBA games dates back to 1984, and NBA games have aired on TNT since it launched in 1988. This chapter will close after this season ends.
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, highlighted that these agreements ensure continued access to “Inside the NBA” while creating significant value for their overall portfolio. He emphasized how this partnership with the NBA and Disney/ESPN secures long-term rights and revenue for WBD’s growing sports business.