Feb 17, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver talks to media throughout a press convention earlier than NBA All Star Saturday Evening at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports activities The NBA rejected TNT Sport’s proposal to stay one of many league’s broadcast companions previous subsequent season on Wednesday, then introduced an 11-year settlement with different companions from 2025-26 via the 2035-36 season.
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), TNT’s mum or dad firm, mentioned Monday that it had matched one of many affords from the newest spherical of NBA tv rights negotiations. Reportedly, WBD was matching the bid of newcomer Amazon, estimated to be 11 years for $1.8 billion per 12 months.
WBD is presently paying $1.4 billion per season on a nine-year deal that expires after the 2024-25 season.
The league, nonetheless, mentioned in a launch that WBD’s most up-to-date proposal did not match the phrases of Amazon Prime Video’s supply and it was transferring ahead with a long-term settlement with Amazon.
The NBA’s Board of Governors final week accepted a brand new set of rights charges reportedly totaling $76 billion over 11 years with Amazon, Disney, which owns ABC and ESPN, and Comcast, which owns NBC.
“All through these negotiations, our main goal has been to maximise the attain and accessibility of our video games for our followers,” the NBA assertion learn. “Our new association with Amazon helps this objective by complementing the published, cable and streaming packages which can be already a part of our new Disney and NBCUniversal preparations. All three companions have additionally dedicated substantial assets to advertise the league and improve the fan expertise.”
TNT, as a part of Turner Sports activities, has broadcast league video games since 1989, making it the longest-running media companion. It produces the favored “Contained in the NBA” pregame and postgame exhibits.
“We’re grateful to Turner Sports activities for its award-winning protection of the NBA and sit up for one other season of the NBA on TNT,” the league mentioned Wednesday.
WBD may counter with authorized motion. Within the meantime, the NBA moved forward with particulars of the brand new agreements to point out video games on NBCUniversal (NBCU), ABC, ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Prime Video.
There can be about 75 regular-season video games on broadcast TV every season, a rise from the minimal of 15 within the present settlement. All nationwide video games can be obtainable on streaming providers Prime Video, Peacock and ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer service.
“Our new international media agreements with Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon will maximize the attain and accessibility of NBA video games for followers in the USA and around the globe,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned in a press launch. “These companions will distribute our content material throughout a variety of platforms and assist remodel the fan expertise over the following decade.”
In accordance with media stories, ESPN can pay $2.6 billion yearly for rights to the NBA Finals and different video games, Comcast can pay the identical for normal season and playoff video games, and Amazon can pay $1.8 billion for a package deal together with some playoff video games, together with convention finals sequence.
–Discipline Stage Media