NBA program 'Inside The NBA' to air for a duration of 30 minutes on ESPN
ESPN to Broadcast "Inside the NBA" Starting 2025-26 Season
In a significant move for sports fans, ESPN has secured the rights to air the popular NBA program "Inside the NBA" starting from the 2025-26 season. This announcement marks the first year of ESPN's 11-year extension with the NBA [1][2].
As part of the agreement, TNT Sports will continue to show 13 Big 12 football and 15 men's basketball games this season as part of a sublicense with ESPN. However, "Inside the NBA" will now broadcast live throughout the 2025-26 season on ESPN [1].
The show is scheduled for a 30-minute timeslot on ESPN following the network’s first NBA doubleheader of the 2025-26 season, running roughly from 12:05 a.m. to 12:35 a.m. ET. This is a significant reduction from its usual nearly hour-long format on TNT, but it appears to be a placeholder in ESPN’s advance schedule rather than a permanent reduction [2].
The limited 30-minute slot reflects some uncertainty on how the show will be integrated into ESPN’s broader NBA coverage. After the opening week, the TNT-produced “Inside the NBA” studio show is not guaranteed to air regularly on ESPN during the season and is scheduled only for specific marquee events and playoff coverage throughout the year [2].
ESPN’s programming must accommodate other commitments like Scott Van Pelt’s SportsCenter show, which follows Inside the NBA in the late-night schedule, requiring precise time coordination [2]. The new rights deal and broader NBA coverage across multiple platforms (ESPN, ABC, NBC, Amazon) may result in evolving scheduling as ESPN tests and finalizes its NBA studio show lineup [3].
Despite the initial 30-minute slot, fans can rest assured that the commentator quartet of Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal will remain with the show [1]. The program will appear on ESPN and ABC for the conference finals, NBA playoffs, all ABC games after Jan. 1, Christmas Day, opening week, the final week of the season, and other marquee live events [1].
Warner Bros. Television Studios will produce "Inside the NBA" under the TNT Sports brand [4]. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro stated that "Inside the NBA" is universally recognized as one of the best and most culturally impactful shows in sports [4]. The addition of "Inside the NBA" to ESPN’s offerings solidifies ESPN as the preeminent destination for sports fans.
The partnership between the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) was announced in November 2024 [1]. The move to ESPN and ABC follows the 2024-25 season, marking a new era for "Inside the NBA" and providing fans with even more opportunities to enjoy this iconic show.
[1] ESPN Press Release
[2] Sports Business Journal
[3] The Ringer
[4] Deadline
- Starting from the 2025-26 season, sports fans can watch "Inside the NBA" on ESPN, marking a significant shift from TNT.
- The NBA playoffs and finals matches, along with other marquee events, will feature "Inside the NBA" on both ESPN and ABC.
- Within the expanded NBC, Amazon, ESPN, and ABC coverage, basketball enthusiasts can anticipate an evolving schedule for "Inside the NBA" in sync with the NBA studio show lineup.
