2024 NBA Media Deals

[JTT 111]

It would be nice if USA had more sports programming,  but I don't think NBC will put nba games or Inside the NBA on USA.  If they wanted more sports programming on USA,  they would have put big 10 football and basketball on USA, as well as on NBC and peacock.

[SDHIll1980 100]

On 5/3/2024 at 10:39 AM, ThunderJay27 said:

If Amazon grabs a part of the rights, I could see them just absorbing Inside. They're the only ones that, I think, would give them the time and space to really do what they do. NBC would have time constraints with the news and such.

 

I agree...if Turner loses the NBA, I could see a scenario where they'll loan Ernie Johnson to whomever (Amazon, or NBC or even ESPN) just for Inside the NBA (or whatever title they would use if the Association leaves Turner), I believe so long as Ernie wants to go that route.  He's given years of service to Turner, so IMO he's the earned the right to his dictate his own terms.

 

It's not unprecedented that sportscasters and analysts work for more than one entity concurrently...it's too many countless examples through the years.  If they can find a way to keep Ernie, Shaq, Kenny, and Charles together, they will.

Edited June 4, 2024 by SDHIll1980

[abric 178]

On 4/30/2024 at 11:48 PM, ekt8750 said:

Little update on this; John Tesh says all they have to do is give him a call if they win the package. The Fox license isn't exclusive:

 

http://amp.awfulannouncing.com/nbc/john-tesh-roundball-rock-nba-media-rights.html

 

That's true it's not exclusive. The latest Draft Kings commercial with Kevin Hart used the first 15 seconds of the theme.

[Georgie56 3303]

NBC remains in the driver's seat for the third NBA package.

 

The likelihood of NBA on TNT ending is increasing by the day.

 

 

[JTT 111]

Maybe there's a possibility that the two companies can split the cost and the rights of the remaining part of the deal.  That way, the NBA will still get their increase in the rights fee and both wbd & NBC get a piece of the package.

[nycnewsjunkie 1439]

19 minutes ago, JTT said:

Maybe there's a possibility that the two companies can split the cost and the rights of the remaining part of the deal.  That way, the NBA will still get their increase in the rights fee and both wbd & NBC get a piece of the package.

At this point, I feel like that’s up to NBC; they seem to have all the leverage right now, and I imagine they’d want exclusivity if they’re able to get it.

 

Granted, if I were David Zaslav and I knew the NBA was going to increase their rights fees, I would’ve reached out to NBC (or someone else) from the get go to partner on the second package. It’s exactly what CBS did w/ Turner when they were at risk of losing Men’s March Madness to ESPN. There’s no guarantee it would’ve worked, but I think it would’ve been a far better strategy than Zaslav’s horrid public negotiation (“we don’t need the NBA”).

[nickp 337]

 If TNT lose the rights to the NBA I’m curious if the board of directors call a vote of no confidence on David Zaslav and replace him as CEO

[JTT 111]

Has anyone heard of an update?

[TVLurker 198]

rumor but i think it's going to happen.

 

https://basketnews.com/news-206165-tnt-lose-nba-media-rights-to-nbc-report-states.html

[SDHIll1980 100]

On 5/13/2024 at 5:34 PM, TVLurker said:

rumor but i think it's going to happen.

 

https://basketnews.com/news-206165-tnt-lose-nba-media-rights-to-nbc-report-states.html

 

Nothing's official, even if Bill Simmons says that it's a done deal.  I've been listening to many of his podcasts since his ESPN days, and sometimes he's been wrong about plenty of stuff.  I'm not calling him a liar, but some of his thoughts comes from a "Bawwston" homer way of thinking.

 

That said, if NBC does indeed take the Turner portion of the package, I hope they can find a way for the Inside the NBA crew to stay together... whether it be them or Amazon using them for pre- and post-game coverage. 

 

Meanwhile, ESPN will go through their usual shuffling of hosts and desk analysts, although their current lineup of Malika Andrews, Stephen A., Mike Wilbon, Kendrick Perkins and/or Bob Myers is actually a pretty good group compared to others from years past.  Although, I would say that Myers doesn't have a lot of on-camera charisma (oddly enough, similar to Simmons, IMO), and Perkins can sometimes go off on some nonsensical tangents, but otherwise this group works well together.

Edited May 15, 2024 by SDHIll1980

[CraigViewer 77]

Given that TNT's parent company WarnerMedia also operates NBA TV, I wonder if there is a scenario that "Inside the NBA" can somehow continue on that network.  Over the years, NBA TV's studio shows have featured Shaq, Kenny "The Jet" Smith, and others, from TNT, after all.  I haven't heard anyone specaulate about that scenerio in the media coverage yet.

Edited May 15, 2024 by CraigViewer

[Jase 1047]

16 hours ago, CraigViewer said:

Given that TNT's parent company WarnerMedia also operates NBA TV, I wonder if there is a scenario that "Inside the NBA" can somehow continue on that network.  Over the years, NBA TV's studio shows have featured Shaq, Kenny "The Jet" Smith, and others, from TNT, after all.  I haven't heard anyone specaulate about that scenerio in the media coverage yet.

 

If I'm not mistaken, 'Inside the NBA' is repeated on NBA TV, so it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibilities to move the show over. However, if WBD were to lose the NBA, they may just decide to end their NBA TV partnership with the NBA as well.   

[JTT 111]

Since the show is successful,  I don't think NBC or AMAZON will let it end.  One of them will probably pick up the show.  If NBC gets it, they'll probably put it on CNBC / USA Network or Peacock.  

[MorningNews 1448]

3 hours ago, JTT said:

Since the show is successful,  I don't think NBC or AMAZON will let it end.  One of them will probably pick up the show.  If NBC gets it, they'll probably put it on CNBC / USA Network or Peacock.  

Well two of the show’s arguably most critical personalities have already said they aren’t continuing on any other network but TNT. Ernie and Charles have said they’re out if NBA leaves TNT. The Tuesday crew is equivalent to the boring ESPN studio show too so not much they can do as replacement options on a new network either.

Edited May 16, 2024 by MorningNews

[JTT 111]

Since Comcast is a cable company, why wouldn't they want to put some NBA games on USA network along with the show Inside the NBA, if they do get part of the deal? 

Edited May 18, 2024 by JTT

[MorningNews 1448]

3 hours ago, JTT said:

Since Comcast is a cable company, why wouldn't they want to put some NBA games on USA network along with the show Inside the NBA, if they do get part of the deal? 

If Ernie and Chuck aren't both joining then they should just move on with a new studio show. Ernie has already said he isn’t moving. Nothing in sports comes close to how great Inside the NBA is.

[Georgie56 3303]

Appears the writing’s on the wall for NBA on TNT.

[JTT 111]

If wbd doesn't get part of the deal, they're probably gonna file a lawsuit.   I don't think they will have a case.   NBC can offer what wbd can't,  which is broadcasting on regular tv while paying more $.

[Jase 1047]

52 minutes ago, JTT said:

If wbd doesn't get part of the deal, they're probably gonna file a lawsuit.   I don't think they will have a case.   NBC can offer what wbd can't,  which is broadcasting on regular tv while paying more $.

 

I wouldn't say they don't have a case. I don't think they have the $$$ to fight this. And if WBD were to match NBC's offer, NBC is in a much better position to go higher. 

[JTT 111]

Back when NBC had the rights to the NBA in 2002, why would they not offer more $ to keep NBA than losing it.  They had a cable channel with cnbc & bravo TV back then.  They could have put games on cable as well as on NBC and charge customers back then to watch the games.  

[ekt8750 50]

21 minutes ago, JTT said:

Back when NBC had the rights to the NBA in 2002, why would they not offer more $ to keep NBA than losing it.  They had a cable channel with cnbc & bravo TV back then.  They could have put games on cable as well as on NBC and charge customers back then to watch the games.  

I was reading about this yesterday and it turns out they really had no interest in renewing due to low ratings and purposely lowballed them with their offer.

[HanSolo 159]

13 hours ago, JTT said:

Back when NBC had the rights to the NBA in 2002, why would they not offer more $ to keep NBA than losing it.  They had a cable channel with cnbc & bravo TV back then.  They could have put games on cable as well as on NBC and charge customers back then to watch the games.  

The world is different 20+ years later. Businesses change. Owners change. Executives change. Budgets change. 

[T.L. Hughes 889]

CNBC is reporting that WBD appears to be pivoting from matching NBCUniversal’s bid for the “B” package that TNT currently holds towards matching the offer for the new “C” package framework that the league negotiated with Prime Video (encompassing regular season games, the In-Season and Play-In Tournaments, and alternating rights to a conference finals series).

 

That package is expected to go for between $1.8 billion–$2 billion, slightly lower than the $2.4 billion that NBCU is likely to offer for the “B” package. The Streamable points out that the plan for Max to switch its Bleacher Report Sports content to a paid add-on could be a wrinkle in that regard, unless it’s willing to make it a permanent no-extra-fee offering (a la Prime Video’s sports content), but that Venu Sports could help bridge the gap (although Prime Video already has a wide subscriber reach built in, though having a larger streaming-only package of NBA could pose issues, especially given recent political posturing over streaming-exclusive college football games on ESPN+).

Edited May 23, 2024 by T.L. Hughes

[nickp 337]

Charles Barkley has a backup plan he’s had talks to keep 'Inside the NBA' going at his own production company

[jerseyfla 207]

17 hours ago, T.L. Hughes said:

CNBC is reporting that WBD appears to be pivoting from matching NBCUniversal’s bid for the “B” package that TNT currently holds towards matching the offer for the new “C” package framework that the league negotiated with Prime Video (encompassing regular season games, the In-Season and Play-In Tournaments, and alternating rights to a conference finals series).

 

That package is expected to go for between $1.8 billion–$2 billion, slightly lower than the $2.4 billion that NBCU is likely to offer for the “B” package. The Streamable points out that the plan for Max to switch its Bleacher Report Sports content to a paid add-on could be a wrinkle in that regard, unless it’s willing to make it a permanent no-extra-fee offering (a la Prime Video’s sports content), but that Venu Sports could help bridge the gap (although Prime Video already has a wide subscriber reach built in, though having a larger streaming-only package of NBA could pose issues, especially given recent political posturing over streaming-exclusive college football games on ESPN+).

I would love to see this and have it be a happy medium. I really wish NBA Finals rights were split with NBC on every year that ESPN has Stanley Cup Finals because ESPN is horrible in their coverage but like I said in an earlier comment ESPN prioritizes the NBA over all of their properties outside of MNF and College Football. 

Edited May 24, 2024 by jerseyfla