NBA Media Rights 2025-26, The NBA’s media rights landscape underwent its most dramatic transformation in 40 years beginning with the 2025-26 season. After decades of Turner Broadcasting (TNT/TBS) and ESPN/ABC as the league’s primary partners, a new deal brought Amazon Prime Video into live NBA broadcasting and returned NBC to basketball for the first time since 2002 — while TNT lost their package entirely.

The Deal Structure

The new NBA rights deal is a four-platform arrangement worth approximately $76 billion over 11 years — the richest media rights deal in professional basketball history:

• ESPN/ABC: approximately $2.6 billion per year — retains the NBA Finals and premium playoff games
• NBC/Peacock: approximately $2.5 billion per year — returns to the NBA after a 22-year absence
• Amazon Prime Video: approximately $1.8 billion per year — first streaming platform to hold primary NBA live rights
• NBA League Pass: retained as the direct-to-consumer supplementary product for out-of-market coverage

The End of TNT’s NBA Era

NBA Media Rights 2025-26, Turner Broadcasting had carried NBA games since 1984 — 40 years of coverage that included the creation of ‘Inside the NBA’ featuring Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, widely considered the best studio show in professional sports broadcasting history.

Amazon outbid Turner for the package TNT held, ending the relationship. The Inside the NBA crew dispersed — some to Amazon, some to other platforms — and the show’s particular chemistry has proven difficult to replicate in any new configuration.

NBC’s Return: What It Means

NBC’s NBA return is one of the most anticipated developments in sports media. Their previous coverage (1990-2002) coincided with the Jordan era and produced iconic moments including the legendary theme music and the full arc of basketball’s most watched period. A generation of fans associates NBA championship moments with NBC’s presentation.

Their current package includes regular-season games on NBC network, select playoff games, and parallel streaming on Peacock.

Amazon Prime Video: Streaming Goes Live

Amazon’s NBA acquisition follows their NFL Thursday Night Football deal and marks the definitive arrival of streaming as a primary home for live professional sports. Their NBA package includes:

• Selected regular-season games (primarily Tuesday nights)
• Selected first-round playoff games
• Exclusive streaming rights to in-season tournament group-stage games

Amazon Prime membership is required — approximately $14.99 per month or $139 annually. For fans without Prime subscriptions, accessing Amazon’s NBA games requires a new monthly cost.

How to Watch Every NBA Game in 2025-26

• ESPN/ABC: Cable, ESPN+, or the Disney Bundle (includes ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu)
• NBC/Peacock: Over-the-air broadcast or Peacock streaming ($7.99/month with ads, $13.99 ad-free)
• Amazon Prime Video: Prime membership required ($14.99/month or $139/year)
• NBA League Pass: Out-of-market games ($29.99/month or approximately $179/full season)

Financial Impact: The Cap Implications

NBA Media Rights 2025-26 — up from approximately $24 billion in the previous contract — dramatically accelerates NBA salary cap growth. The cap is projected to exceed $200 million by the early 2030s. For players currently on rookie deals, the contracts they will sign in their mid-20s will dwarf even today’s record figures. For the cap history context, see: [INTERNAL LINK: NBA Salary Cap History: Every Season from 1984 to 2026].

Read More: NBA Scoring by Era: How Pace, Rules, and Analytics Changed Basketball Forever

Frequently Asked Questions: NBA Media Rights

Where can I watch NBA games in 2025-26?

Games air on ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. Out-of-market games are available via NBA League Pass.

Why did TNT lose NBA rights?

Amazon outbid Turner Broadcasting. TNT’s 40-year NBA relationship ended when the league accepted the higher offer.

Do I need a separate subscription for Amazon’s NBA games?

Yes. Amazon Prime membership (approximately $14.99/month or $139/year) is required to access their NBA package.