The NBA's 2025-26 season marks a historic shift to streaming, with a new 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal bringing 247 national games to platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Peacock.
October 3, 2025
Source:
Netflix
NBA Launches New Era with $77B Streaming Deal
The National Basketball Association is entering a new chapter with its 2025–26 season, backed by a landmark 11-year, $77 billion media rights agreement. This deal dramatically expands the league's presence on streaming services, partnering with industry giants ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video.
A Surge in National Game Coverage
Fans will now have access to 247 nationally televised games, a significant 43.6% increase from last year. This new structure ensures that every national game is available on at least one streaming service, catering to the growing audience of cord-cutters.
Where to Watch National Games
The weekly schedule for national games is now spread across multiple platforms:
Mondays: Peacock
Tuesdays: NBC, Peacock
Wednesdays: ESPN
Thursdays: Amazon Prime Video
Fridays: Amazon Prime Video, ESPN
Saturdays: Amazon Prime Video, ABC
Sundays: ABC, NBC, Peacock
The season tips off on October 21 with a doubleheader on NBC and Peacock. The first games streamed exclusively online will be on October 24, when Amazon Prime Video presents the Celtics vs. Knicks and Timberwolves vs. Lakers.
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Source:
Netflix
Major Sports Leagues Pivot to Streaming
The NBA's aggressive move into streaming reflects a broader industry trend as major sports leagues adapt to declining traditional cable subscriptions. This new arrangement positions the NBA as a leader in digital sports broadcasting.
New Bundles and Services
The industry's pivot is evident elsewhere. ESPN recently launched a new direct-to-consumer streaming service and has begun offering bundles with other sports platforms, a strategy that went live on October 2, 2025. These packages offer fans a mix of sports properties for a single monthly fee.
Team Appearances and Viewership
Under the new deal, every NBA team is guaranteed at least two national appearances, ensuring broad exposure. Marquee teams, including the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Golden State Warriors, are each scheduled for 34 national appearances, reflecting their large market sizes and recent on-court success.
NBC is also introducing Sunday Night Basketball, mirroring its highly successful Sunday Night Football brand, with the first broadcast scheduled for February 1.
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Source:
The Wall Street Journal
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