The NBA is close to finalizing a groundbreaking broadcast rights deal with NBC, ESPN, and Amazon.com, expected to generate $76 billion over 11 years. This highlights the enduring value of live sports in an era of declining traditional TV viewership.
NBC’s major return to NBA coverage
NBC will pay an average of $2.5 billion annually to broadcast around 100 NBA games each season, with about half exclusive to its Peacock streaming service. This marks NBC’s significant return to NBA coverage, aligning with its strategy to boost streaming capabilities amid the shift away from traditional cable TV.
Amazon’s expansion into sports broadcasting
Amazon plans a major investment in NBA content with an annual package worth $1.8 billion. This package includes regular-season and postseason games, and part of the conference finals, underscoring Amazon’s growing ambitions in live sports to attract more Prime Video subscribers.
Disney’s ESPN network will see its payments rise from $1.5 billion to an average of $2.6 billion annually under the new deal. Despite paying more for fewer games, ESPN retains exclusive rights to broadcast the NBA Finals and will air games on its upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service, expected to launch in 2025, which includes WNBA telecast rights.
Warner Bros Discovery, which has aired NBA games via Turner Sports for nearly four decades, is missing from the initial agreement. Analysts suggest Warner Bros Discovery’s significant debt may hinder its ability to secure a new NBA package. However, the NBA might create a new package for them or allow them to match a competing offer, though these options seem limited for now.
Industry responses and future implications
ESPN and Comcast declined to comment, while other stakeholders, including the NBA, have not yet responded. If completed, this deal could transform the sports broadcasting landscape, illustrating the continued appeal of live sports in attracting dedicated viewers despite the rise of streaming and cord-cutting trends.
This proposed transaction underscores the intense competition among major media companies for premium sports rights, which remain crucial for audience engagement and subscription growth in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.