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NBA on television

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National Basketball Association (NBA) games are televised nationally in the United States, as well as on multiple local channels and regional sports networks.

The 2025–26 season marks the first year of 11-year agreements with broadcast channels ABC and NBC, pay television network ESPN, and streaming services Peacock and Amazon Prime Video to nationally televise games in the United States. Under these contracts, ESPN shows doubleheaders on Wednesday nights, and Amazon Prime Video streams games on Friday nights for most of the season. NBC airs a Tuesday night doubleheader to be shown across different NBC stations (under the branding Coast 2 Coast Tuesday). The first is scheduled at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (on NBC stations using Eastern and Central Time Zones) and a second game is scheduled at 8 p.m. Pacific Time (on stations using Mountain and Pacific Time Zones). In addition to streaming all games broadcast by NBC, Peacock also streams at least one game exclusively on the streamer. During the second half of the season, ABC shows a single game on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons, whereas Prime Video streams Thursday night games and NBC airs Sunday night games (under the branding Sunday Night Basketball). Prime Video also streams selected Saturday afternoon games, while ESPN airs games on selected Friday nights. There are some exceptions to this schedule, including Tip-off Week, Christmas Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. More games may be shown as the end of the regular season approaches, particularly games with playoff significance. Coverage of the first two rounds is split between ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video, while the conference finals alternates between these platforms every year. The entire NBA Finals is shown nationally on ABC. The NBA Finals is one of the few sporting events to be shown on a national broadcast network on a weeknight.

Games not televised by its national partners are instead broadcast by local broadcast stations and regional sports networks, televising their respective local team within their respective region. A number of nationally televised games are also non-exclusive, meaning that the national telecasts may also air in tandem with those of the game by local broadcasters. With the Toronto Raptors being the only NBA team in Canada, television rights differ in that country. Games exclusively televised south of the border by an American national broadcast network may be simulcast by a Canadian network, but all contests involving the Raptors are non-exclusive north of the border.

In addition to the English-language television broadcasts, select NBA games also have Spanish-language broadcasts since 2002.

History

As one of the major sports leagues in North America, the National Basketball Association has a long history of partnership with television networks in the United States. The league signed a contract with DuMont in its 8th season (1953–54), marking the first year the NBA had a national television broadcaster. Similar to NFL, the lack of television stations led to NBC taking over the rights beginning the very next season until April 7, 1962—NBC's first tenure with the NBA. After the deal expired, Sports Network Incorporated (later known as the Hughes Television Network) signed up for two-year coverage in the 1962–63 and 1963–64 season.

ABC then gained the NBA in 1964, airing its first NBA game on January 3, 1965. Up until the 1970–71 season, ABC often aired NBA games as segments of its popular* ABC's Wide World of Sports* anthology series rather than standalone broadcasts.

CBS took over national rights from ABC in 1973. The late 1970s and early 1980s was notoriously known as the "tape delay playoff era". Ratings sagged in the late 1970s with a series of fairly undistinguished championship teams from relatively small markets, widespread public perceptions of drug usage among players, and a relative lack of marquee players. Even a merger with the American Basketball Association in 1976, bringing several standout players including Julius Erving into the league, did not reverse the ratings slide. CBS, not wishing to preempt higher-rated regular programming for the relatively low-rated pro basketball, elected to show several playoff games each season tape-delayed into late-night time slots. This situation started to improve with the arrival of Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird for the 1979-80 season, but both the 1980 and 1981 NBA Finals (which were won by teams led by first Magic, and then Bird) had games air late at night on tape delay, most infamous with the 1980 Finals' Game 6, where Magic (tasked to play center after an injury to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) had 42 points in a title-clinching win that wasn't aired live outside of Philadelphia or Los Angeles. Beginning with the 1982 NBA Finals, the schedule was shifted to avoid the May television sweeps period, and tape-delayed games were no longer an issue.

The NBA entered the cable territory in 1979 when USA Network signed a three-year $1.5 million deal and extended for two years until the 1983–84 season, ESPN also had a brief affair with the NBA from 1982 to 1984. Turner Sports then replaced ESPN and USA Network as national cable partners under a four-year deal beginning with the 1984-85 season, in which TBS shared the NBA television package along with CBS. In the summer of 1987, Turner signed a new joint broadcast contract between TBS and TNT to split broadcast NBA games starting from the 1988-89 season. TNT held rights to broadcast the NBA draft, most NBA regular season and playoff games, while TBS only aired single games or doubleheaders once a week.

In 1990, NBC took over the broadcast rights from CBS. During NBC's partnership with the NBA in the 1990s, the league rose to unprecedented popularity, with ratings surpassing the days of Johnson and Bird in the mid-1980s.

Upon expiration of the contracts in 2002, the NBA signed a six-year, $2.4 billion ($400 million/year) deal with Disney-owned ABC and ESPN. ABC took over the package from NBC, and ESPN took over part of the cable rights from TBS. NBC had made a four-year $1.3 billion ($330 million/year) offer in the spring of 2002 to renew its rights, but the NBA passed and opted for ABC/ESPN's higher bid. Turner was able to keep a package for TNT. And while TBS would initially discontinue game coverage altogether, it would serve as TNT's overflow feed during the playoffs while also simulcasting games like the 2015, 2016, and 2017 NBA All-Star Game. The combined total of ABC, ESPN, and TNT's 2002 agreements became $4.6 billion ($766 million/year). Partially due to the retirement of Michael Jordan after the 2002–03 season, the league suffered a ratings decline. The NBA extended its national television package on June 27, 2007, worth eight-year $7.4 billion ($930 million/year) through the 2015–16 season, during which the league had its new resurgence leading by a renewed Celtics–Lakers rivalry and LeBron James. On October 6, 2014, NBA announced a nine-year $24 billion ($2.7 billion/year) extension with ABC, ESPN, and Turner beginning with the 2016–17 season and running through the 2024–25 season - the second most expensive media rights in the world after NFL and on a par with Premier League in annual rights fee from 2016–17 to 2018–19 season.

On July 24, 2024, the NBA announced new 11-year agreements with ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video that will last from the 2025–26 to 2035–36 seasons. The new agreements ended a near 36-year domestic broadcast run with TNT Sports; parent company Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA would later agree to a legal settlement, which included live game rights for select international territories and sublicensing its pregame, halftime, and postgame show Inside the NBA to ESPN and ABC.

Regular season

SeasonABCTNTESPNNBA TV3.82M1.74M1.63M0.31M3.27M1.54M1.57M0.31M3.93M1.68M1.65M0.35M3.59M1.67M1.50M0.29M3.58M1.90M1.68M0.32M4.70M2.00M1.77M0.34M5.42M2.50M1.86M0.34M5.11M2.40M1.99M0.25M3.69M1.72M1.56M---3.68M1.71M1.68M---3.18M1.47M1.47M---
2017–18
2016–17
2015–16
2014–15
2013–14
2012–13
2011–12 (lockout shortened)
2010–11
2009–10
2008–09
2007–08

NBA playoffs

Main article: NBA playoffs

Under the upcoming TV contracts starting with the 2026 playoffs, ABC/ESPN would broadcast about 18 games in the first two rounds each year. NBC Sports would have between 22 and 34 first and second-round games, either televised on NBC or streamed on Peacock. And Amazon Prime Video would stream between 14 and 26 first and second-round games. For the conference finals, ABC/ESPN would have one series in the first 10 years of the deal, while the other series would be rotated between NBC and Prime Video; in 2036 (the final year of the deal), NBC and Amazon would have the conference finals instead of ABC/ESPN. ABC will continue to exclusively broadcast the NBA Finals, which, dating back to 2003, would extend the network's consecutive streak of airing the series to over 30 years. This deal will also see the entirety of the playoffs (including the first round and the play in tournament) exclusive to the NBA's national TV partners, meaning no local broadcaster is allowed to produce its own broadcast of playoff games and co-exist with the national broadcaster.

NBA Finals

Main article: NBA Finals television ratings, List of NBA Finals broadcasters

ABC has exclusively aired the NBA Finals since 2003, and will continue to do so through 2036.

Single games

NBA on Christmas Day

Main article: National Basketball Association Christmas games

Games on Christmas Day have drawn some of the biggest regular season audiences. Since 2001, the most watched Christmas games were:

2004 Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers on ABC averaged a 7.3 rating and 13.18 million viewers.

2010 Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers on ABC averaged a 6.4 rating and 13.11 million viewers.

2015 Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors on ABC averaged a 5.7 rating and 11.12 million viewers.

YearNetworkGamesRatingViewership55.53M55.25M52.85M54.27M51.74.08M52.04.47M55.34M53.05.83M52.65.10M52.34.56M53.05.55M52.85.22M52.54.46M53.15.50M54.06.50M53.26.00M52.44.17M52.54.43M32.64.29M13.55.47M24.47.12M25.28.92M33.04.96M32.84.52M23.24.99M
2025ABC, ESPN
2024ABC, ESPN
2023ABC, ESPN
2022ABC, ESPN
2021ABC, ESPN
2020ABC, ESPN
2019ABC, ESPN
2018ABC, ESPN
2017ABC, ESPN, TNT
2016ABC, ESPN
2015ABC, ESPN
2014ABC, ESPN, TNT
2013ABC, ESPN
2012ABC, ESPN
2011 (lockout shortened)TNT, ABC, ESPN
2010ABC, ESPN
2009ABC, ESPN
2008ABC, ESPN, TNT
2007ABC, ESPN
2006ABC
2005ABC
2004ABC, ESPN
2003ABC, ESPN
2002ABC, ESPN
2001NBC

NBA All-Star Game

Main article: List of NBA All-Star Game broadcasters

The NBA All-Star Game oringally aired on broadcast networks until 2002. TNT then began airing the All-Star Game on cable in 2003, which was simulcast on TBS from 2015 to 2025. NBC then takes over airing the game in 2026.

YearNetworkResultsRating/ShareViewership2.24.72M2.65.40M2.24.59M3.16.28M3.16.13M4.17.28M3.86.80M4.37.65M4.2/77.75M4.3/77.61M4.3/77.18M4.3/77.51M4.6/88.02M4.4/77.07M5.2/99.09M3.8/66.85M4.5/77.62M3.8/66.33M4.2/76.84M4.3/87.07M4.9/88.08M5.1/108.19M6.6/1210.83M8.2/1513.10M5.1/87.76M6.9/1210.52MCancelled due to owners' Lockout10.6/1716.93M11.2/1916.90M11.7/2017.46M10.7/1715.78M9.1/1413.67M14.3/2222.91M12.8/2618.83M7.8/2110.61M9.5/1313.20M
2025TNT, TBS, truTV, MaxShaq's OGs 41, Chuck's Global Stars 25
2024TNT, TBS, truTV, MaxEast 211, West 186
2023TNT, TBSTeam Giannis 184, Team LeBron 175
2022TNT, TBSTeam LeBron 163, Team Durant 160
2021TNT, TBSTeam LeBron 170, Team Durant 150
2020TNT, TBSTeam LeBron 157, Team Giannis 155
2019TNT, TBSTeam LeBron 178, Team Giannis 164
2018TNT, TBSTeam LeBron 148, Team Stephen 145
2017TNT, TBSWest 192, East 182
2016TNT, TBSWest 196, East 173
2015TNT, TBSWest 163, East 158
2014TNTEast 163, West 155
2013TNTWest 143, East 138
2012TNTWest 152, East 149
2011TNTWest 148, East 143
2010TNTEast 141, West 139
2009TNTWest 146, East 119
2008TNTEast 134, West 128
2007TNTWest 153, East 132
2006TNTEast 122, West 120
2005TNTEast 125, West 115
2004TNTWest 136, East 132
2003TNTWest 155, East 145
2002NBCWest 135, East 120
2001NBCEast 111, West 110
2000NBCWest 137, East 126
1999
1998NBCEast 135, West 114
1997NBCEast 132, West 120
1996NBCEast 129, West 118
1995NBCWest 139, East 112
1994NBCEast 127, West 118
1993NBCWest 135, East 132
1992NBCWest 153, East 113
1991NBCEast 116, West 113
1990CBSEast 130, West 113

Most-viewed game

On November 9, 2007, when the Houston Rockets with Yao Ming faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks with Yi Jianlian, over 200 million people in China watched on 19 different networks, making it the most-viewed game in NBA history.

Regional and Canadian broadcasters

Main article: List of current NBA broadcasters

NBA games not televised by its national partners are instead broadcast by local broadcast stations and regional sports networks. The two networks may also simulcast the national televised feed of these games, excluding postseason contests. But all of these U.S. national feeds have been treated as non-exclusive in Canada if they involve the Raptors, inducing the 2019 NBA Finals, allowing the Raptors regional telecast to air in tandem with the U.S. national broadcast.

Starting with the 2025–26 season, U.S. regional broadcasters are only allowed to televise preseason and regular season games, as all playoff games become exclusive to the NBA's national TV partners.

Most NBA regional broadcasters are members of national chains:

Regional networkTeam(s)
Altitude SportsDenver
Chicago Sports NetworkChicago
FanDuel Sports NetworkAtlanta (10 games flexed to WPCH as of 2023–24 season), Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, LA Clippers, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee (10 games flexed to WMLW as of 2023–24 season), Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Orlando, San Antonio
Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network
(Gray Television)New Orleans
KJZZ-TV
(Smith Entertainment Group)Utah
KFAA/WFAA
(Tegna Inc.)Dallas
KTVK/KPHE
(Gray Television)Phoenix
Monumental Sports NetworkWashington
MSGNew York
NBC Sports Regional NetworksBoston, Golden State, Philadelphia, Sacramento
Rip City Television NetworkPortland
Space City Home NetworkHouston
Spectrum SportsLA Lakers
Sportsnet and TSN
(shared rights)Toronto
YES NetworkBrooklyn

Notes

References

References

  1. Sarmento, Mario R.. "The NBA on Network Television: Historical Analysis".
  2. [http://archive.nba.com/finals2002/broadcast_release_020602.html NBA Finals 2002 to be broadcast on TV, radio, Internet] - NBA, May 29, 2002
  3. [https://www.multichannel.com/news/telemundo-air-nba-en-espa-ol-137728 Telemundo to Air NBA en Español] - R. Thomas Umstead, Multichannel, August 25, 2002
  4. "NBC Celebrates 12 Years of NBA on NBC".
  5. John Lombardo & John Ourand. (October 13, 2014). "Fast break: NBA media rights". SportsBusiness Daily.
  6. Paulsen. (October 6, 2014). "NBA Announces 9-Year Extension With ESPN, Turner, Through 2025". Sports Media Watch.
  7. BBC Sports. (February 10, 2015). "Premier League TV rights: Sky and BT pay £5.1bn for live games". [[BBC Sport]].
  8. (July 24, 2024). "NBA signs new 11-year media agreements with the Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video through 2035-36 season".
  9. (July 24, 2024). "The Walt Disney Company and ESPN Reach Landmark 11-Year Media Rights Extension with the National Basketball Association and the Women's National Basketball Association".
  10. (July 24, 2024). "THE NBA AND WNBA RETURN TO NBCUNIVERSAL WITH 11-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR REGULAR SEASON AND PLAYOFF BASKETBALL ON NBC, PEACOCK, USA NETWORK, SKY SPORTS, AND TELEMUNDO".
  11. (July 24, 2024). "Amazon Prime Video and the NBA Announce Landmark 11-Year Global Media Rights Agreement Beginning in 2025".
  12. (November 18, 2024). "Warner Bros. Discovery and the National Basketball Association Reach Agreement to Expand Long-Standing Partnership".
  13. (17 November 2024). "Warner Bros. Discovery, NBA Settle Legal Battle Over TV Rights". The Wall Street Journal.
  14. (17 November 2024). "'Inside the NBA' to continue on ABC and ESPN as part of TNT-NBA settlement: Sources". The Athletic.
  15. Deseret News. (May 1, 1993). "NEW NBA-NBC DEAL IS GROUNDBREAKING".
  16. "NBCUniversal - NBA U.S. Rights Agreement".
  17. "Amazon-NBA U.S. Rights Agreement".
  18. (April 18, 2025). "National Priority: NBA moving first-round games off local TV". Sports Business Journal.
  19. Riess, Steven A.. (March 26, 2015). "Sports in America from Colonial Times to the Twenty-First Century: An Encyclopedia". [[Taylor & Francis]].
  20. Zelkovich, Chris. (June 16, 2010). "Sportsnet back in the game with Raptors". Toronto Star.
  21. Dachman, Jason. (June 5, 2019). "NBA Finals 2019: As Raptors Fever Takes Over Canada, MLSE Serves Up Game Coverage on Sportsnet, TSN".
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