Warner Bros. Discovery is at risk of losing the rights to broadcast NBA games on TNT, which could jeopardize the future of the popular show “Inside The NBA.” The NBA is reportedly arranging new multi-billion-dollar broadcast deals that exclude TNT after the 2024-2025 season. This decision would keep basketball on ABC and ESPN through Disney, while giving rights packages to NBC and Amazon, leaving TNT out of the loop.
The exclusion of TNT from the new broadcast deals puts the future of “Inside The NBA” in flux. Co-host Charles Barkley expressed frustration, calling executives “clowns” for potentially losing the long-standing deal. Fellow co-host Shaquille O’Neal, who had previously expressed confidence in the team staying together, missed a broadcast and posted a cryptic message on Instagram. The other personalities of the show, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, have remained quiet on the matter.
Barkley has discussed the possibility of continuing “Inside The NBA” at his production company, Fine Line Productions, with his colleagues. The show would need a new broadcaster, and there is speculation about it moving to another network with broadcasting deals. While representatives for TNT, Amazon, ESPN, and NBC have not commented on the situation, the team is uncertain about their future.
“NBA games—and studio shows like ‘Inside The NBA’—draw solid ratings, especially during the playoffs,” with the show attracting millions of viewers. The show has been on TNT for 12 years and has received numerous awards for its unique game analysis and interviews. Despite the potential loss of basketball rights, TNT has reached an agreement with ESPN to license select college football playoff games.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Warner Bros. Discovery currently pays $1.2 billion annually for the NBA broadcast rights on TNT, significantly less than what ESPN, NBC, and Amazon are set to pay under the new deals. As streaming services gain popularity, sports broadcasting remains a key way to keep audiences engaged with traditional television sources. Major championships are likely to stay on linear TV, but the next tier of playoff games and regular season games may shift to streaming services.
The future of “Inside The NBA” and the broadcast rights of NBA games on TNT are uncertain, with tensions running high among the show’s team members. As the landscape of sports broadcasting continues to evolve, particularly with the rise of streaming services, the fate of iconic shows like “Inside the NBA” hangs in the balance. With key personalities expressing their concerns and exploring potential alternatives, fans will have to wait and see what the future holds for this beloved show.
