SUMMARY
- The NBA is currently finalizing deals with new companies for the upcoming renewal of their media rights agreements.
- TNT will stop streaming games following the 2024-25 NBA Season.
The NBA is obviously one of the most followed sports leagues in the entire world. And without the help of various streaming networks, games won’t be accessible across the United States and around the world. This is where companies like ESPN or even Turner Sports Media come into play. For several years, these networks have provided platforms for various media experts to give basketball fans a reason to see the game from an analytical point of view.
With a potential $7B annual media rights deal looming, NBA players could make up to $95M a year on supermax contracts in the future.
INSANE. 🤯 (via @KeithSmithNBA) pic.twitter.com/Q7BdiyIaBv
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 22, 2024
However, the league has to be under contract with a group of companies that function separately across the country to stream games for various reasons. ESPN, TNT, NBC, and ABC have been the top companies that signed with the NBA for the last decade or so. With the existing contract coming to an end next year, the league has already begun finalizing deals with newer companies.
A shift to OTT platforms means easier access to games on the go
Most of the companies that function alongside the NBA on the current deal either have their own channels on cable television, or function as a third-party streaming service via the league’s official website. Unfortunately, TNT was one of the companies that couldn’t land a new deal with the NBA while the others mentioned above have signed tentative agreements to continue streaming for the organization.
“I’ve been told that once the league gets done with these media rights negotiations, the league will start to look toward expansion… Certainly Las Vegas, along with Seattle.”
Woj says the expectation is the NBA could add two franchises👀
(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/ht1VZLPBKm
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 10, 2023
Additionally, platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and Disney are also going to be part of the NBA’s upcoming media rights agreement. Streaming games on television has become quite outdated in this day and age. The number of people subscribing to OTT platforms has increased drastically over the years for a lesser price than cable. OTT platforms also allow people to access shows [or in this case, games] on any device, making it easier to game live streams on the go. This is quite similar to watching the NBA App provides.
The NBA is still set to lose a good chunk of its viewers
The NBA will most certainly enjoy an influx of viewers considering that more than half of the world is possibly already subscribed to platforms like Amazon Prime Video or streaming services run by Disney. But a good chunk of viewers also watch post-game shows like NBA on TNT, which will be streaming NBA games for the last time next season.
The NBA will reportedly finalize new media rights deals with ESPN, Amazon, and NBC later this week
The 2024-2025 NBA Season will be the last for TNT’s ‘INSIDE THE NBA’ with Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley
(via: @SBJ) pic.twitter.com/j8ImYpyZxk
— ScreenTime (@screentime) May 22, 2024
The NBA is bound to lose a good chunk of viewers who prefer watching games on TNT. Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley were some of the best analysts around, and many fans tuned in to watch games solely to catch the quartet.