The NBA Media Rights deal has expired, which means the league is currently seeking out new agreements with carriers. Disney and the NBA almost immediately reached a tentative agreement to renew their carry ship, which allows ABC to broadcast the NBA Finals and the Conference Finals every other year.
NBCUniversal, which lost the NBA in 2002, is aggressively pursuing the NBA TV Rights and has offered 2.5 Billion dollars a year to carry the NBA.
The NBA has also signed an agreement with Amazon Prime to carry the NBA, With the In-Season Tournament and Playoff matches headed to Amazon starting in 2025-26.
But TNT, is on the outside looking in. Warner Bros. Discovery. the Parent company, had the right to match, but the NBA is reportedly asking them to offer 2.8 Billion dollars annually to prevent NBC from getting the rights.
WBD can also match Amazon’s 1.8 Billion dollar deal, but reports indicate the NBA may be looking to sever its relationship with Warner Bros Discovery, which leaves TNT in a bad dilemma. But perhaps, in the dilemma could come an opportunity, one that could benefit both TNT and a prospective partner.
Amazon’s Deal With the NBA
According to reports, Amazon’s deal with the NBA will last 10 years and will feature the following
- A Select Number of Regular Season Games
- NBA In-Season Tournament and NBA Play-In Tournament Matches
- Conference Finals rotating yearly
- Saturday Night Broadcasts
Amazon is receiving a massive package, and it will use its streaming service to add to it’s already growing sports broadcasts, which include the NFL and NASCAR.
Amazon also acquired a 15% Stake in Bally Sports, meaning it would also receive a number of MLB and NHL Broadcasts on a regional basis.
How a TNT-Amazon Partnership Would work
WBD and Amazon would have to come to a framework to an agreement to simulcast broadcasts as part of a “Prime on TNT” block which would be the following
- Select Number of Broadcasts Simulcasted on TNT
- TNT crew members and personalities migrated to Amazon
- Amazon Produces the Broadcasts
- A Pre-Game Show for TNT (15-20 Minutes)
- A Post-Game Show for TNT (30 Minutes)
- Inside the NBA, TNT Overtime, and other original content moved to Amazon Prime
- NBA Live feed currently broadcasted on X moved to Amazon Prime
- Gambling Show also airing on Amazon Prime
How this Partnership Benefits Amazon
While Amazon has the capital to build a brand, it does not have the talent, and while it holds a 15% Stake in Bally Sports, It may not find itself able to build a base on local talent alone. Acquiring Turner Network Television’s talent would allow it to establish a presence with veterans who have been broadcasting NBA Basketball for years.
Amazon can also use this concept to spread its brand onto cable and encourage more people to acquire a Prime Subscription, which would give them access to exclusive content such as TNT Overtime and Inside the NBA, which would be fully moved to Prime Video as a part of this deal.
How This Partnership Benefits Warner Bros Discovery
Warner Bros Discovery Saves Money by Outsourcing their Production to Amazon
This next reason benefits David Zaslav, who is looking to cut costs constantly. WBD could save millions annually by outsourcing its broadcasts to Amazon. TNT would be able to retain its NBA rights, while Amazon would be able to serve as the chief broadcaster.
A WBD-Amazon Partnership would allow Amazon to keep together the Inside the NBA Crew, though Inside the NBA itself would move to Amazon. , The crew would still be televised on TNT during Half-time as well as during the Pregame and a 15-20 minute Postgame show.
A Partnership Between TNT and Amazon would go a long way towards establishing a future for NBA coverage that will allow both Warner Brothers and Amazon to benefit, and provide fans with a continuous home for one of its longest running programs.
Post Update: July 23, 2024
The NBA has agreed to a new multi-media deal with ESPN, Universal, and Amazon. WBD has announced it intends to match the Amazon Offer. Andrew Marchand has reported the NBA is expected to decline Warner Bros. Discovery’s offer, leading to a possible legal battle between the two sides. Stay here for more updates.