The current "Inside the NBA" crew (2011-present) (from left to right): analyst Shaquille O'Neal, host Ernie Johnson, analyst Kenny Smith & analyst Charles Barkley. (Los Angeles Times)
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Highlights:
- "Inside the NBA" set to move to ABC/ESPN in 2025-26, joining NBA Countdown and NBA Today in terms of studio programming.
As you guys may or may not know, the NBA on TNT is set to end this season following a 36-season run on TNT and a 41-year run on the Turner Sports' family of networks (TNT or TBS). With that in mind, many folks asked a question: "What would happen to Inside the NBA", the iconic NBA pregame, halftime and postgame show?" Well, there is an answer to that question. "Inside the NBA" will have a new television home when the new television contracts begin next season, 2025-2026. More about that in just a moment.
Earlier this week, ESPN (and ABC for that matter), in cooperation with Turner Sports, announced that they exclusively present the legendary studio program starting the 2025-26 regular season. The timing is perfect because ESPN and ABC are set to commence brand-new 11-year media rights with the National Basketball Association (NBA), which was disclosed in the summertime. As a result of this historic agreement, Turner Sports will continue to independently produce "Inside the NBA" from their Atlanta, Georgia based studios. TNT will sublicense the show to air on ABC and ESPN.
The celebrated "Inside the NBA" studio team of host Ernie Johnson, Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal, along with two-time champion Kenny Smith are set to appear surrounding the top NBA events that ESPN and ABC have on their schedules, including ESPN's pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV on ABC, Conference Finals, NBA Playoffs, all ABC games after January 1, Christmas Day, opening week, the final week of the season and other marquee live events.
The following are statements made by the Chairmans of the respective networks involved in this agreement, Jimmy Pitaro (ESPN) and Luis Silberwasser (Turner Sports), respectively:
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN:
“Inside the NBA is universally recognized as one of the best and most culturally impactful shows in sports. We have long-admired the immensely talented team and are thrilled to add their chemistry and knowledge to our robust set of NBA studio offerings to super-serve NBA fans like never before. The addition of Inside the NBA further solidifies ESPN as the preeminent destination for sports fans.”
Luis Silberwasser, CEO & Chairman, Turner Sports (TNT Sports):
“At TNT Sports, we take great pride in our Inside the NBA show and know its success is both a reflection of the iconic talent on set and the incredible people behind the scenes who consistently demonstrate the creativity and craft of our great team. We are thrilled to continue to produce Inside the NBA for ESPN and ABC, ensuring fans are able to keep enjoying the magic of this show during the NBA season.”
In exchange for the sublicensing of "Inside the NBA" to ABC/ESPN, ESPN will send over a package of Big 12 men's football and men's basketball games to Turner Sports, beginning with the 2025-26 season. This unique situation is a continuation of a partnership between Turner Sports and ESPN, as Turner Sports is set to begin airing select College Football Playoff games in 2024.
ESPN will continue to produce the weekday studio show NBA Today and the pregame/halftime show NBA Countdown despite the "Inside the NBA" addition to ESPN and ABC's studio lineup. In fact, both NBA Countdown and NBA Today are expected to remain cornerstones in ESPN and ABC's NBA studio coverage moving forward. Malika Andrews hosts both programs with several of the NBA's top and first-class analysts and reporters including Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Kendrick Perkins, Richard Jefferson, Bob Myers, Chiney Ogwumike, Brian Windhorst, Ramona Shelburne, Shams Charania & much more.
TNT's Inside the NBA made its debut during the 1989-90 season. Ernie Johnson has been the show's host since the 1990-91 season. Kenny Smith has been an analyst on the program since 1998. Charles Barkley joined the show in 2000, followed by Shaquille O'Neal's arrival in 2011. It has won 21 Sports Emmy Awards and in 2020, was even recognized by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Curt Gowdy Transformative Media Award.
|| 🛈 Sources: ESPN Press Room (article)
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