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- NBA nears a $76 billion TV rights deal with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon.
- Turner Sports’ ‘Inside the NBA’ may end as Warner Bros. Discovery seeks inclusion.
- Streaming services Peacock and Amazon Prime to feature NBA games; ESPN to launch a new streaming service.
- Austin Reaves supports Mavericks over Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.
NBA Poised for a Slam Dunk with Lucrative TV Rights Deal
The NBA is on the verge of securing a groundbreaking television rights agreement, signaling a major shift in sports broadcasting.
As the league approaches the conclusion of its current TV rights package, a new era beckons with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon ready to ink a deal worth an estimated $76 billion over 11 years. This arrangement promises to transform the viewing experience, bringing a significant portion of NBA action to streaming platforms such as Peacock, Amazon Prime, and an upcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer service. While this deal marks a strategic move towards digital consumption, it also potentially concludes Turner Sports’ long-standing partnership with the NBA, casting uncertainty over the future of the beloved ‘Inside the NBA’ series.
NBC’s commitment involves an annual $2.5 billion investment, showcasing around 100 games each season, with Peacock exclusively airing half of them. Amazon’s $1.8 billion yearly package includes regular-season and playoff games, the new NBA in-season tournament, and the “play-in” games. Disney, maintaining its relationship with the NBA, will continue to broadcast the NBA Finals on ESPN and ABC, despite a reduction in the number of games covered under its new deal.
In the midst of these negotiations, the 2024 NBA Finals are set to commence, featuring the Dallas Mavericks against the Boston Celtics. Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers has publicly favored the Mavericks, aligning with the storied rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics.
This colossal TV rights agreement underscores the NBA’s value in the entertainment industry and the willingness of major networks and streaming services to invest heavily in live sports content, a testament to the league’s enduring appeal and the growing importance of streaming in the sports media landscape.
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