NBA
New NBA Deals Could Send Dozens Of Games To Streaming Services—And Leave Out TNT, Report Says
Topline
The NBA is close to signing new rights deals with Disney, Amazon and NBC that would bring in nearly $76 billion over the next 11 years, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, a move that could shake up basketball fans’ viewing habits by moving scores of games to streaming services—and end TNT’s NBA broadcasts after decades.
Warner Bros. has said it was “hopeful” to retain broadcasting rights after failing to extend its … [+]
Key Facts
Disney is likely to pay $2.6 billion per year—up from $1.5 billion in its current deal—to broadcast the NBA on ESPN and its upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service, people familiar with the terms told the Journal.
Amazon Prime would reportedly stream some regular season and playoff games that include the new NBA in-season tournament and play-in games for the postseason tournament, as part of a $1.8 billion deal that would mark the NBA’s first major rights package for a streaming-only company.
NBC is expected to broadcast about 100 games per season, but half will air exclusively on the Peacock streaming service as part of its $2.5 billion-a-year deal, showing games on Tuesdays and Sundays if there isn’t a conflict with Sunday Night Football.
Each company would rotate broadcasts for the NBA’s conference finals, and Disney would hold onto the NBA Finals, according to the Journal.
The deals would take effect after the 2024-2025 season and include broadcasting rights to the WNBA, whose viewership has risen since Caitlin Clark made her professional debut.
Neither Disney, Amazon nor NBC immediately responded to requests for comment from Forbes.
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What To Watch For
If the deals go through, Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT cable network would lose its NBA broadcasting rights. Warner, which averages an annual $1.2 billion fee in its current deal, can match other offers and may still make an offer to extend its broadcasting rights with the NBA, after CEO David Zaslav said he was “hopeful” they could land an agreement.
Key Background
A battle for broadcasting rights with the NBA ensued after Warner Bros. was unable to extend its contract with the league in April. NBC and Amazon subsequently emerged as suitors to expand their sports coverage, with Disney looking to retain its NBA rights. NBC already pays more than $2 billion per year for NFL rights, while Amazon pays $1 billion for Thursday Night Football. Warner Bros. being cut out of NBA broadcasts would deal a blow to the media giant and subsidiary TNT, which has broadcast regular season and playoff games and its “Inside the NBA” show for decades.
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