NBA Announces Landmark Media Deals: A New Era for Basketball Broadcasting

NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) has unveiled a sweeping set of 11-year media agreements with The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime Video, fundamentally altering the landscape of NBA broadcasting beginning with the 2025-26 season and extending through the 2035-36 season.

Expanded Reach and Accessibility

The new agreements promise to significantly expand the reach of NBA telecasts, making games more accessible to fans both domestically and internationally. A key component of this expansion is the availability of all national games on broadly distributed streaming services – Prime Video, Peacock, and ESPN’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer service – alongside increased exposure on traditional broadcast television.

More Games on Broadcast TV

Fans will see a substantial increase in the number of regular-season games available on broadcast television, jumping to approximately 75 games per season. This represents a significant increase from the minimum of 15 games under the current agreement.

Prime Video’s Role

Amazon Prime Video will play a pivotal role in the new broadcasting structure, securing exclusive global coverage of 66 regular-season NBA games. This includes exclusive coverage of an opening week doubleheader and a new Black Friday NBA game. Prime Video will also be the exclusive home for all games from the Knockout Rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup, including the Semifinals and Finals.

Prime Video acquires rights to exclusive coverage of every game of the postseason SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, first and second-round playoff games, and Conference Finals in six of the 11 years of the deal. The package will be distributed in the U.S. And internationally, with an expanded offering in select territories including Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“The digital opportunities with Amazon align perfectly with the global interest in the NBA,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “And Prime Video’s massive subscriber base will dramatically expand our ability to reach our fans in new and innovative ways.”

The NBA App: A Universal Access Point

The NBA App will serve as a central hub for fans, seamlessly directing them to every national game available on Disney, NBCU, and Amazon platforms. This unified access point aims to simplify the viewing experience for fans navigating the new media landscape.

Looking Ahead

These agreements represent a significant investment in the future of the NBA and its ability to connect with fans worldwide. The increased accessibility and expanded coverage are expected to drive continued growth and engagement for the league.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When do these new media deals begin? The new agreements begin with the 2025-26 NBA season.
• Which platforms will broadcast NBA games? Games will be broadcast on ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video.
• Will there be more games on traditional TV? Yes, approximately 75 regular-season games will be on broadcast TV each season, up from a minimum of 15.
• What exclusive content will Prime Video offer? Prime Video will offer exclusive coverage of 66 regular-season games, the NBA Cup Knockout Rounds, and portions of the NBA Playoffs.

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