TNT NBA show, “Inside the NBA,” will now air on ESPN and ABC beginning next season as part of an agreement between Warner Bros. Discovery (TNT Sports’ parent company) and the NBA announced earlier this week. TNT Sports will no longer air the show at the end of this season.
A new 11-year Warner Bros. Discovery deal meant to air on the show became an issue of legal dispute in August. Warner Bros. Discovery sued the NBA in a New York state court for not accepting the company's matching offer for one of the packages, which was set to begin with 2025/26.
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Although the "Inside the NBA" show will air on ESPN/ABC, TNT Sports will keep producing the event, while airing it from its Atlanta squad, except when the TV show records off-studio sessions. Per the hosts, the quartet of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal will continue on the show. Barkley signed an extension with Warner Bros. Discovery in August despite the firm's NBA show loss.
While commenting on the landmark deal, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said, "Inside the NBA" is universally recognized as one of the best and most culturally impactful shows in sports. "We have long-admired the immensely talented team and are thrilled to add their chemistry and knowledge to our robust set of NBA studio offerings to super-serve NBA fans like never before. The addition of 'Inside the NBA' further solidifies ESPN as the preeminent destination for sports fans," he added.
Going Forward for "Inside the NBA", TNT Sports, and Multiple New Deals
Although TNT Sports will not air in the United States starting next season, it holds the air rights to a full package of games in select countries, including Latin America (excluding Brazil and Mexico), Poland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
Additionally, TNT Sports will begin showing 13 Big 12 football and 15 men's basketball games next season, thanks to a sub-license with ESPN that also sees the former airing two College Football Playoff games beginning this season.
In his comments about the latest deals between Warner Bros. Discovery and ESPN, the former’s CEO David Zaslav said in a statement, “Together these agreements ensure fans will continue to enjoy TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ and create tremendous value for our entire portfolio as we accelerate the growth of TNT Sports, Bleacher Report, House of Highlights and our global sports business.” “We are pleased to partner with the NBA and Disney/’ESPN, and to have solidified long-term rights and revenue for WBD.”
Final Remarks
The 2024-25 NBA season will be the last for the “Inside the NBA” show on TNT, after Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT’s parent company, no longer has a deal to air NBA games. Although TNT Sports will continue producing the show, the revered show which will keep a tab on the game's top players, moves, and major events, will now air on ESPN and ABC, with the same quartet of hosts.