**"Inside the NBA" Set to Transition to ESPN and ABC Next Season**

The cherished sports studio show "Inside the NBA" will find a new home on ESPN and ABC starting next season, following a resolution between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA. This change comes as a result of Warner Bros. Discovery's lawsuit against the NBA in New York state court after the league declined the media company's matching offer for a segment of the new 11-year media rights deal, which starts in the 2025-26 season.

Despite this shift, TNT Sports will continue to produce "Inside the NBA," which will still primarily broadcast from Atlanta, with on-the-road episodes remaining a feature. The show's beloved hosts—Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal—will remain intact, bringing their famous chemistry and sports insight to the new networks. Notably, Barkley extended his contract with Warner Bros. Discovery in August, even after the company lost NBA broadcasting rights.

According to ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, the addition of "Inside the NBA" greatly strengthens ESPN's NBA offerings. He praised the show's unique appeal and said its inclusion underscores ESPN's reputation as a leading destination for sports enthusiasts. "Inside the NBA" will cover the pregame, halftime, and postgame segments for NBA Finals on ABC, as well as the conference finals and NBA Playoffs. Regular season coverage will include key events such as opening week, Christmas Day, all ABC games after January 1, the concluding week of the season, and other high-profile events.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing that it ensures continuity for fans while adding significant value across Warner Bros. Discovery's sports properties. The agreement also grants TNT Sports, Bleacher Report, and House of Highlights a global license for NBA content, without a rights fee for the next 11 years. Furthermore, Warner Bros. Discovery will maintain its collaboration with NBA Digital operations, a partnership they've managed since 2009, for the next five seasons.

While TNT Sports will cease airing NBA games in the U.S., it will still broadcast a comprehensive package of games in selected international markets including several Latin American countries (excluding Brazil and Mexico), Poland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Additionally, Warner Bros. Discovery has secured broadcasting rights for 13 Big 12 football games and 15 men’s basketball games through a sublicense agreement with ESPN.

"Inside the NBA," which debuted in 1989 with Johnson taking the helm in 1990, has become a staple in sports television, accumulating 21 Sports Emmy Awards. Over the years, the show has expanded its roster, with Smith joining in 1998, Barkley in 2000, and O'Neal in 2011. This long-running and acclaimed program will now continue to be a central part of the NBA viewing experience on its new networks.