The NBA has made a groundbreaking move by securing an 11-year broadcasting deal worth $77 billion with media giants Disney, Amazon, and NBCUniversal. This landmark agreement, which will take effect after the 2024-25 season, is set to revolutionize the way fans consume NBA content, both in the United States and around the world.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the significance of this deal, 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". This partnership aims to distribute NBA content across a wide range of platforms, ensuring that fans can enjoy games on television, streaming services, and digital platforms.
Increased Broadcast of Regular-Season Games
One of the most notable changes under this new agreement is the substantial increase in the number of regular-season games broadcasted on TV. The NBA announced that about 75 regular-season games will be on broadcast TV each season, a significant jump from the minimum of 15 games under the current agreement. This move is expected to attract a broader audience and provide more opportunities for fans to engage with the sport.
Disney's Comprehensive Coverage
Disney, a longtime partner of the NBA, will continue to play a pivotal role in the league's broadcasting strategy. ESPN and ABC, both owned by Disney, will carry a total of 80 regular-season NBA games, including 20 contests on the ABC Network. ABC will remain the exclusive home of the NBA Finals, a position it has held since 2003. Additionally, ESPN and ABC will telecast about 18 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs each year, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the postseason.
NBCUniversal's Robust Offerings
NBCUniversal will also have a significant presence in the new broadcasting landscape. The network will pick up 100 regular-season NBA games, with more than half airing on NBC. Its streaming service, Peacock, will stream a doubleheader each Monday night of the season. NBCUniversal will also telecast one of the two Conference Finals series in six of the 11 years of the contract, rotating with Amazon starting in the 2025-26 season.
Amazon's Growing Sports Portfolio
Amazon's Prime Video will carry 66 regular-season NBA games each season, including at least one game on Black Friday. This addition to Prime Video's growing roster of live sports offerings, which already includes NFL and NASCAR, is expected to attract a younger audience. "Our streaming base is becoming larger than a lot of cable networks in the U.S.," said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. This partnership underscores the increasing importance of digital platforms in sports broadcasting.
Impact on Warner Bros Discovery
The new deal represents a significant shift away from Warner Bros Discovery's TNT Sports division, which had a four-decade-long relationship with the NBA. Despite a last-minute offer from Warner Bros Discovery, the NBA decided to move forward with the more lucrative proposal from Amazon. This decision has raised concerns about Warner's role in the new sports-streaming partnership with Disney and Fox.
Enhancing the Fan Experience
Overall, this historic broadcasting deal is poised to transform the NBA fan experience. By leveraging the strengths of Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon, the NBA aims to provide unparalleled access to games and content across multiple platforms. As Commissioner Adam Silver noted, these partnerships will "help transform the fan experience over the next decade".
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