“Inside the NBA” is set to continue its run, even as its games will no longer be featured on TNT after this current season. 
 
Starting next season, this well-loved studio program will transition to ESPN and ABC, following a recent settlement reached between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA, as announced on Monday. 
 
In August, Warner Bros. Discovery, which oversees TNT Sports, filed a lawsuit against the NBA in New York state court due to the league declining the company’s matching offer for one of the segments in its new 11-year media rights agreement, which is set to commence with the 2025-26 season. 
 
Although “Inside the NBA” will now be broadcast on ESPN and ABC, the production will still be handled by TNT Sports, and it will take place primarily in Atlanta, except for specific road shows. 
 
The program will retain its beloved cast of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. Barkley, notably, extended his contract with Warner Bros. Discovery in August, despite the company’s recent loss of NBA broadcasting rights. 
 
“Inside the NBA” is anticipated to air during significant events on the NBA calendar, including the opening week, Christmas Day, the playoffs, and the NBA Finals. It will likely also feature on Saturday nights during the latter half of the season, aligned with ABC’s prime-time game schedule. 
 
The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, commented on the outcome, stating, “The opportunity to continue the iconic and Emmy Award-winning ‘Inside the NBA’ is a huge win for basketball fans everywhere. We look forward to building on our longstanding partnership with TNT Sports and promoting NBA content across vital WBD and NBA platforms.” 
 
Since its inception in 1989, “Inside the NBA” has become a staple, with Johnson taking over the host role in 1990 and Smith joining full-time in 1998, followed by Barkley in 2000 and O’Neal in 2011. The program has been honored with an impressive total of 21 Sports Emmy Awards. 
 
Under the new settlement, TNT Sports, Bleacher Report, and House of Highlights have secured a global license for NBA content with no associated rights fee for the next 11 years. Additionally, Warner Bros. Discovery will maintain its digital operations partnership with the league, including NBA.com, for five more seasons, a collaboration that has been ongoing since 2009. 
 
While TNT Sports will cease to broadcast NBA games in the United States next season, it will still hold rights to air a complete package of games in several international markets, including parts of Latin America (excluding Brazil and Mexico), Poland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. 
 
Moreover, TNT Sports will introduce broadcasts for 13 Big 12 football and 15 men’s basketball games next season as part of a sublicense agreement with ESPN. Beginning this season, TNT will also air two College Football Playoff games under a similar sublicense with ESPN. 
 
Turner Sports has been a prominent player in NBA broadcasting since 1984, with TNT airing games since its launch in 1988, an era that will conclude after this season. 
 
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed his satisfaction with the agreements, stating, “Together these agreements ensure fans will continue to enjoy TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ and create tremendous value for our entire portfolio as we accelerate the growth of TNT Sports, Bleacher Report, House of Highlights, and our global sports business. We are pleased to partner with the NBA and Disney/ESPN, solidifying long-term rights and revenue for WBD.”