What's Next for the Winners—and Big Loser—of the New NBA Media Rights

After a monthslong process rife pinch twists and turns, nan NBA connected Wednesday announced nan winners of its caller 11-year media authorities deal, reportedly worthy $77 billion: The Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS) ABC and ESPN; Comcast (CMCSA) portion NBCUniversal's NBC—which is regaining authorities its past held successful 2002—and Peacock streaming service; and Amazon's (AMZN) Prime Video.

The news was nan latest improvement successful nan ongoing improvement of nan live-sports scenery successful nan streaming era. It near Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), whose TNT Sports portion has held NBA authorities since nan precocious 1980s, connected nan extracurricular looking in.

WBD had a contractual correct to lucifer Amazon's reported bid of $1.8 cardinal a twelvemonth and did so, but nan NBA accepted nan tech giant's connection instead. "We person matched nan Amazon offer, arsenic we person a contractual correct to do, and do not judge nan NBA tin cull it," TNT Sports said Wednesday, adding it "will return due action."

Details of nan New Deal

Beginning pinch nan 2025-26 play and moving done nan 2035-36 campaign, nan media and tech giants will telecast astir 75 regular-season games connected broadcast TV each season, up from nan minimum of 15 games nether nan existent agreement, which expires aft adjacent season. All nationalist games will beryllium disposable connected streaming services: Prime Video, Peacock, and ESPN's early direct-to-consumer service. The authorities woody besides includes WNBA games, worthy a reported $2.2 cardinal of nan total.

"Our caller world media agreements pinch Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon will maximize nan scope and accessibility of NBA games for fans successful nan United States and astir nan world," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "These partners will administer our contented crossed a wide scope of platforms and thief toggle shape nan instrumentality acquisition complete nan adjacent decade."

"Warner Bros. Discovery’s astir caller connection did not lucifer nan position of Amazon Prime Video's connection and, therefore, we person entered into a semipermanent statement pinch Amazon," nan NBA said.

At nan moment, it appears arsenic though nan forthcoming 2024-25 NBA play pinch beryllium TNT's last, meaning it will beryllium nan extremity for its beloved, award-winning "Inside nan NBA" show, which features big Ernie Johnson and analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith. The 61-year-old Barkley past period said he would discontinue aft adjacent season.