The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced the renewal of its partnership with The Walt Disney Company and new agreements with NBCUniversal (NBCU) and Amazon. These agreements, effective from the 2025-26 season through the 2035-36 season, will see ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video telecasting NBA games in the United States. This move is set to expand the reach of NBA telecasts, enhancing the fan experience and accessibility.
Expanding Media Partnerships and Reach
The NBA’s new media deals with Disney, NBCU, and Amazon represent a significant shift in how fans will access NBA games. The NBA App will serve as a universal access point, seamlessly directing fans to every national game on Disney, NBCU, and Amazon platforms. This means that all national games will be available on broadly distributed streaming services such as Prime Video, Peacock, and ESPN’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer service.
Additionally, the exposure on broadcast television will dramatically increase, with approximately 75 regular-season games set to air on broadcast TV each season, a significant rise from the minimum of 15 games under the current agreement. This expanded reach is poised to bring NBA games to a wider audience, both domestically and internationally.
Key Statements from Partners
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism about the new agreements, stating, “Our new global media agreements with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon will maximize the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans in the United States and around the world. These partners will distribute our content across a wide range of platforms and help transform the fan experience over the next decade.”
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro echoed this sentiment, highlighting the partnership’s potential for innovation and growth. “The NBA is a vibrant, ascendant league, and through this premium collection of rights, including every NBA Finals on our platforms, we will continue to evolve together while successfully navigating the global digital transition and delivering the highest quality coverage for fans.”
Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast Corporation, emphasized NBCU’s commitment to best-in-class coverage. “We look forward to presenting our innovative programming and distribution plan across NBC and Peacock to entertain fans and help grow the game.”
Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, noted the honor of partnering with the NBA. “We are honored that the NBA has entrusted Prime Video to deliver its one-of-a-kind action and excitement to viewers around the world. We look forward to continuing to innovate and evolve live sports coverage for our customers.”
Broadcast and Streaming Plans
Disney (ABC/ESPN) will distribute a total of 80 NBA regular-season games per season. This includes more than 20 games on ABC and up to 60 games on ESPN. ABC/ESPN will continue to telecast all five NBA games on Christmas Day and provide exclusive national coverage of the final day of the regular season. During the playoffs, ABC/ESPN will telecast approximately 18 games in the first two rounds each year and one of the two Conference Finals series in 10 of the 11 years of the agreement. ABC will remain the exclusive home of the NBA Finals, a position it has held since 2003.
ABC/ESPN platforms will also continue to distribute a package of WNBA and NBA G League regular-season and postseason games. Internationally, Disney will distribute NBA games on ESPN-branded assets in several markets, including Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and the Netherlands, and via Disney+ in select markets in Asia and Europe.
NBCU (NBC/Peacock) will distribute up to 100 NBA regular-season games per season, with more than half airing on NBC. NBCU will telecast the league’s opening night doubleheader each year and at least two games on MLK Day each season. Peacock will stream a doubleheader each Monday night of the season. NBC will telecast two games every Tuesday night, available across different regions of the country.
NBC will become the home of NBA All-Star, including events like Rising Stars, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, and the All-Star Game. In the playoffs, NBC and/or Peacock will telecast approximately 28 games in the first two rounds, with at least half airing on NBC. NBC will also telecast one of the two Conference Finals series in six of the 11 years on a rotating basis with Amazon.
NBCU will distribute NBA games in several European markets through Sky Sports, as well as in the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, NBCU will distribute WNBA games and be the home of all USA Basketball Senior Men’s and Women’s National Team games.
Amazon will distribute 66 NBA regular-season games on Prime Video each season. This includes Thursday night doubleheaders, Friday evening doubleheaders, select Saturday afternoon games, and at least one game on Black Friday. Prime Video will also stream the Championship Game of the Emirates NBA Cup, and all six SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament games. In the playoffs, Prime Video will stream approximately one-third of the first and second rounds each year, and one of the two Conference Finals series in six of the 11 years on a rotating basis with NBCU.
Prime Video will also distribute NBA games globally, with an expanded package of games in select territories, including Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. This package includes a minimum of 20 additional primetime regular season games each year, a Conference Finals series each year, and the NBA Finals in six of the 11 years.
Warner Bros. Discovery Proposal
The NBA issued a statement on Thursday regarding Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposal. “Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer and, therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon.”
The NBA highlighted its objective to maximize the reach and accessibility of its games for fans. The new arrangement with Amazon complements the broadcast, cable, and streaming packages already part of the new Disney and NBCUniversal arrangements.
The NBA expressed gratitude to Turner Sports for its award-winning coverage and looks forward to another season of the NBA on TNT.
