Sports

NBA Amazon, NBC are new partners joining ESPN

Published

1 month ago

October 23, 2025

NBA NEWS WEBSITE – NEWS

The 2025-26 NBA season brings new broadcast partners and new ways to watch games all season long. The 2025-26 NBA season marks the first of the 11-year media agreements with Disney (ABC/ESPN), NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock) and Amazon (Prime Video).

ABC/ESPN: Entering its 24th straight season of NBA coverage, ABC and ESPN will broadcast 80 regular-season games, including the NBA on Christmas Day. In the playoffs, ESPN/ABC will broadcast approximately 18 games in the first two rounds, as well as one conference finals in 10 of the 11 years, while also remaining the exclusive home of the NBA Finals.

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NBC/Peacock: The NBA returns to NBC for the first time since 2002, beginning with the Opening Night doubleheader on Tuesday. NBC/Peacock will broadcast 100 regular-season games, approximately 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs and one of the conference finals in six of the 11 years, while also becoming the new home of NBA All-Star weekend. For broadcast enhancements, Michael Jordan himself will be part of the network’s offering, while Peacock games on Monday nights will feature one analyst “On the Bench” for each team, bringing fans closer to the action.
Prime Video: A brand new partner for the NBA, Prime will broadcast 66 regular-season games, including the Knockout Rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup before the Championship Game of the third-annual in-season competition on Dec. 16. Prime will be the exclusive home for all six games of the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament and will carry approximately one-third of playoff games in the first two rounds, as well as one of the conference finals in six of the 11 years.
NBA League Pass: Broadcasting all games that are not available on a national platform or in a user’s local market, NBA League Pass will continue to be available via traditional cable and satellite distributors. It is also available for purchase and viewing via the NBA App and NBA.com, while Amazon will be its primary third-party digital distributor.
Tap to Watch: This is a new digital initiative that simplifies how fans find and access live NBA game telecasts, starting with the 2025-26 season. Tap to Watch will leverage the NBA’s vast digital ecosystem to seamlessly direct fans to live NBA games from league, team and a range of popular third-party digital platforms, including all national games on ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video, as well as nearly all local games.

Daily schedule

So when is each broadcaster carrying games this season? We’re glad you asked …

Season-long national games:

* Sunday: ESPN/ABC (afternoon games) & NBC/Peacock (night games)
Monday: Peacock
Tuesday: NBC/Peacock
Wednesday: ESPN
* Thursday: Amazon Prime
Friday: Amazon Prime & ESPN*
* Saturday: Amazon Prime (afternoon games) & ESPN/ABC (night games).

* = starting midseason

Let’s dive deeper into each of the three broadcast partners for more on their game schedules and presentations, from studio show hosts and analysts to who will call the action on play-by-play and in-game analysis.

Cue the iconic “Roundball Rock” theme song with the return of the NBA on NBC, tipping off with an Opening Night doubleheader on Oct. 21, featuring the defending champion Thunder hosting the Rockets, followed by the Warriors visiting the Lakers in L.A. Tune in early as NBC will air live team introductions, bringing the excitement of the arena right into every fan’s home.

Regular game nights: Monday, Tuesday and Sunday (beginning Feb. 1)
Marquee games: Opening Night doubleheader, MLK Day games
Marquee event: NBA All-Star (Rising Stars, All-Star Saturday Night, All-Star Game)
Full schedule: Every NBA game on NBC & Peacock in 2025-26

Peacock NBA Monday: Starting Oct. 27, Peacock will stream up to three games nationwide on Monday nights throughout the regular season. A 30-minute studio program will lead into game coverage.

Coast 2 Coast Tuesday: Beginning Oct. 28, Tuesday nights will feature doubleheaders on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be presented to NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game to NBC stations in the Pacific and Mountain time zones. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock with a 30-minute studio program leading into coverage on Peacock.

Sunday Night Basketball: Launching Feb. 1, Sundays will feature primetime hoops on NBC and Peacock through April 5 – except for Feb. 8 and 15 – and include three doubleheaders. A one-hour, on-site studio program will lead into game coverage each week on NBC and Peacock.

Peacock is not only a new destination for games throughout the season, but its game presentations will feature innovative enhancements to bring fans closer to the game.

“On the Bench:” Dedicates one analyst to each team and positions that analyst courtside with their team, bringing fans closer to the action.
Performance View: An on-screen overlay that fans can toggle on and off, featuring real-time stats such as player shooting streaks and likely scoring zones.
ScoreCard: A real-time interactive game described as “bingo meets fantasy sports,” allowing fans to choose a game card based on a team or theme, and then earn points depending on what happens during the game.
Courtside Live: Debuting in the second half of the season, get an immersive, courtside view of gameday atmosphere, featuring a curated feed that includes player arrivals, pregame warmups and reactions from celebrities in the front row.

NBC and Peacock’s coverage will feature some new and some familiar voices on game calls and the studio shows breaking down all of the action.

Play-by-play announcers: Mike Tirico, Noah Eagle, Michael Grady, Terry Gannon, Mark Followill
Game analysts: Reggie Miller, Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, Robbie Hummel, Austin Rivers
Studio show hosts & analysts: Maria Taylor and Ahmed Fareed (hosts), Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Grant Liffmann (front office insider)
Sideline reporters: Jordan Cornette, Ashley ShahAhmadi, Zora Stephenson
Assignments: See all broadcaster assignments for the season’s first two weeks
MJ: Insights to Excellence: This series that will air throughout the season with the first installment containing a portion of an interview between Mike Tirico and Michael Jordan debuting on Opening Night

ABC & ESPN

ABC will once again be home for the NBA Finals.

NBA coverage on ESPN and ABC returns with a ‘Bang!’ (a la Mike Breen) for a 24th straight season, beginning with a pair of opening week doubleheaders.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Cavs visit the Knicks, followed by the NBA debut of No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg when the Mavs host the Spurs. On Thursday, Oct. 23, the Pacers host the Thunder in a Finals rematch, followed by the Nuggets visiting Golden State.

Regular game nights: Wednesday & Friday* (ESPN), Saturday* & Sunday* (ESPN & ABC)
Marquee games: NBA on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Eve tripleheader
Marquee event: Home of the NBA Finals
New platform: All games will be available on ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service
Full schedule: Every NBA game on ABC & ESPN in 2025-26

* = Beginning midseason

NBA on ESPN doubleheaders: The NBA on Wednesday nights have been a staple on ESPN for years and will continue with doubleheaders throughout the regular season. At midseason, ESPN will expand its coverage with doubleheaders on Fridays.

NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC: Entering its 11th season, NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC continues to present the premier national game of the week, treating fans to the most captivating and highest-profile matchups. It begins on Jan. 24 with a Rivals Week tripleheader featuring Knicks-Sixers, Timberwolves-Warriors and Lakers-Mavericks, and runs every Saturday through March 14 (except Feb. 14 during NBA All-Star).

NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC: ABC is the destination for marquee matchups every Sunday afternoon from Feb. 8 through March 14 (except for Feb. 15 during NBA All-Star).

The biggest change to ABC/ESPN’s coverage this season is the addition of “Inside the NBA” – the 21-time Emmy Award-winning studio show known for its entertaining style and unfiltered commentary – to serve as the pregame, halftime and postgame show for high-profile NBA events on ESPN and ABC throughout the regular season, playoffs and the NBA Finals.

Hosted by Ernie Johnson alongside analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, “Inside the NBA” will make its ESPN debut during the networks’ opening week doubleheaders, while also being part of the NBA on Christmas Day as well as the exclusive, national NBA game of the week franchises. The full list is below:

Opening Week doubleheaders: Wed, Oct. 22 and Thur, Oct. 23
Early-season doubleheaders: Wed, Oct. 29 and Wed, Nov. 12
NBA on Christmas Day: Thur, Dec. 25
Every NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC: Jan. 24 & 31, Feb. 7, 21 & 28, March 7 & 14
Three NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC: Feb. 22, March 1 & 8

Breen is back as the lead play-by-play voice for ESPN and ABC, with Tim Legler joining Breen and Richard Jefferson on the network’s lead broadcast crew.

Play-by-play announers: Mike Breen, Dave Pasch, Ryan Ruocco and Mark Jones
Game analysts: Tim Legler, Richard Jefferson, Doris Burke, Jay Bilas
Sideline reporters: Lisa Salters, Katie George, Jorge Sedano and more to be named
Studio show hosts & analysts: Malika Andrews (host), Michael Malone, Kendrick Perkins and more to be named

Prime Video

NBA on Prime will broadcast the NBA Cup Knockout & Championship rounds as well as the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.

The newest home for NBA hoops, Prime Video opens its inaugural season at the World’s Most Famous Arena on Oct. 24 when the Knicks host the Celtics in the opening game of a doubleheader, followed by the Timberwolves visiting the Lakers in Los Angeles.

- Regular game nights: Friday, with Thursday* & Saturday* coming in January
- Marquee games: NBA Cup Knockouts & Championship, Black Friday game, Global Games in Europe (Jan. 15 in Berlin, Jan. 18 in London)
- Marquee events: Exclusive home of the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
- Full Schedule: Every NBA game on Prime Video in 2025-26

* = Beginning midseason

Prime Video will stream 66 regular-season games this season, including 10 during Group Play of the Emirates NBA Cup – with doubleheaders on five consecutive Fridays beginning on Halloween through Nov. 28.

Once Group Play is complete with eight teams advancing to the Knockout Rounds, coverage will be exclusive to Prime Video featuring the single elimination quarterfinals (Dec. 10) and semifinals (Dec. 13), culminating in the NBA Cup Championship Game on Dec. 16 in Las Vegas.

Prime Video is not only home to the conclusion of the Emirates NBA Cup, it is also the exclusive home of the beginning of the NBA postseason, with all six games of the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament – which determines the No. 7 and No. 8 playoff seeds in both conferences – broadcast on Prime from April 14-17.

A new broadcast platform also allows for new features and enhancements for the viewing experience. Here are a few that Prime Video has in store for its inaugural season.

Customizable Multiview: For fans that subscribe to Prime Video and NBA League Pass, they will be able to watch up to four games at once.
Numbers Game: Real-time player and team stats will be integrated into each Prime Video stream.
Rapid Recap: Late to a game? Don’t worry. Prime will offer a curated highlight reel to bring fans up to speed in two minutes or less before transitioning to the live stream.

Before Prime Video’s debut broadcast on Friday, they offered an early glimpse of the brand-new studio that will be home to their pregame, between game and postgame coverage. Which voices will emit from that studio and inside arenas around the league?

Play-by-play announcers: Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan, Michael Grady, Eric Collins
Game analysts: Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, Candace Parker, Stan Van Gundy, Brent Barry, Dell Curry, Jim Jackson
Sideline reporters: Cassidy Hubbarth, Allie Clifton, Kristina Pink, JayDee Dyer
Studio show host & analysts: Taylor Rooks (host), Swin Cash (front office insider), Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, Udonis Haslem, John Wall, Rudy Gay and active Sixers guard Kyle Lowry (select appearances). Nash, Wade and Parker will split between studio and in-game analysts

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Sports

Matt Campbell set to take over in Happy Valley

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Austin Reed

college championship weekend The 2025 college football season kicks off with one of the most electrifying Week 1 slates in recent memory. With playoff contenders

By: Matthew Weatherby

White smoke has risen from the Nittany Lion atop Beaver Stadium. Penn State has its new Head Coach in Matt Campbell. It was 54 long days since the Nittany Lions fired now Virginia Tech Head Coach James Franklin. They got turned down, people paid, and honestly publicly humiliated throughout the process. Now Campbell from Iowa State is set to take over in Happy Valley. Hoping to calm the mobs coming for Pat Kraft and his job.

This report came a few minutes ago from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who said Penn State was finalizing a deal for Matt Campbell to become the head coach.

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Get to Know Matt Campbell

Penn State has finally found its guy, and funny enough, it is a similar route they took when they hired James Franklin in 2014. Franklin’s pedigree was that of a guy who appeared to do more with less. He was the most successful Vanderbilt Head coach until Clark Lea.

Campbell is the same. He won at his first stop, being Toledo’s Head Coach, where he went 35-15, good for a .700 winning percentage. Since he took the job at Iowa State, he has enjoyed some similar success, going 72-55 from 2016-25.

Now to the doing more with less portion. Over the 11 recruiting classes that he brought in at Iowa State, the average ranking was 55.8 in the national standings. Not exactly that of a top-tier program. He has developed that talent, however, with guys like Brock Purdy and Breece Hall being stars in the NFL now.

He also won Coach of the Year 3 times in the BIG 12, receiving the award in 2017, ’18, and ’20. Campbell was also the 2015 MAC Coach of the Year.

With the influx of cash I expect Campbell to receive, in terms of NIL money for the roster, it is not unreasonable to think of this as a great hire. With his coaching pedigree, you would expect the results he was able to give at Iowa State to only be magnified with a bigger brand and budget at Penn State.

What Campbell means for Penn State

It means that Pat Kraft might actually be able to sleep peacefully tonight. He has been contacting seemingly everyone, trying to get them to come to Happy Valley. None of those came to fruition; instead, he was getting them paid at the places they were already employed.

Here, the question that reigns supreme: will it be enough?

This search was an unmitigated disaster, from the inability to get anyone to take their money, all of the negative press, and the rumors of Jimmy Sexton freezing Penn State out for the way they handled Franklin. It could not have been worse for Penn State. You pair that with a group of Paterno people who wanted Terry Smith to be the Head Coach. I wonder if this hire is enough to calm the waters in Happy Valley.

One thing I do know for sure is that winning cures all. Matt Campbell might just be the guy to save Pat Kraft.

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Sports

Let ’em Run expands coverage to more tracks

Published

12 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Austin Reed

Capital Sports Network will be your home for Let ’em Run Happy Hour

Let ’em Run is breaking down races at some new venues, and we will continue to expand our horizons with a variety of tracks, as we listen to what our viewers and readers have to say.

We are breaking down interesting races at Laurel Park and Turfway Park (a little nighttime action) that will be run on Saturday. Then we turn our attention to Aqueduct on Saturday, where there is The Remsen Gr2, a Kentucky Derby prep, and the signature race…The Cigar Mile.

Saturday Roundup Reminder

Be sure to tune into the Saturday “Let ’em Run Roundup” at 12:30 where we will bring even more insight after any scratches and other changes. So catch us this weekend on multiple streaming apps and social channels!!

Saturday 12/6 — Laurel Park

Race 6 — 2:23 EST — The Maryland Juvenile — 125K — 7 Furlongs (Dirt)
Some talented 2 y.o.’s line up for this race, at the always tricky distance for young runners at 7 furlongs. I am going to lean on #3 Sometime 9-2. Was ambitiously placed in the Iroquois against some of the best milers in the division. Breeding out of Take Charge Indy, who came in 1st at The Florida Derby and The Clark Handicap, so the talent is there. The #4 Biker Bailey 4-1 came out of a Md 20k, but took over the field and posted a 70 BSF. Could go to the front and not look back.
Bet = $10 Ex Box 3,4 = $20

Saturday 12/6 — Turfway Park

Race 7 — 8:55 EST — The Boone County — 125K — 1 ¼ (Synthetic)
Big field to choose from gives us plenty of options and value to boot. Jockey Fernando De La Cruz hops aboard #10 Swift Delivery 5-1, 1 of 2 Mark Casse entrants. A failed turf experiment, in between two Gr3 races on synthetic, make this horse the one to beat. Tough post, but De La Cruz can work out a trip and close on the field. The #1 Funtastic Again 5-1, is the horse for course and surface. Has ran in a steady diet of 6 Graded races last 6x, and now gets relief and a good post to go to the front. Jockey Gerado Corrales is very familiar with this runner.

Saturday 12/6 — Aqueduct (Races 7–11)

Race 7 — 2:11 EST — Alw 88K N1X — 1 Mile (Dirt)

Nice start to the late P5 for Let ’em Run, with a big field of 12 runners. Hard to look past #6 Life and Times 8-5. As a student of pace figures, this runner has an early pace figure of 142!! Out of Justify, and 2nd time out runners for that sire often improve…scary. Likely to have some company up front, but just too fast.
Bet = P5 = 6 / All / All / 6 / 2 = $78 (based on current entries)

Race 8 — 2:39 EST — The NY Stallion Series — 500K (Fillies) — 7 Furlongs (Dirt)

Another full field of 2 y.o. fillies running at 7 furlongs. Going with #12 Daniella Marie 6-1, the entry for the “other Chad”… trainer Chad Summers, who is heating up and excellent with 2.y.o’s. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche stays on, and never really asked her in last, when she won by 9 ¼ lengths. Likely post time fave #10 Hot Currency 7-2, looking to improve with stud jockey Flavian Prat retaining the mount.

Race 9 — 3:08 EST — The Remsen Gr2 — 250K — 1 ⅛ (Dirt)

Kentucky Derby prep race, with 12 runners ready to go. The #11 Talkin 5-1 for trainer Danny Gargan is my top choice. Gargan is looking to hit the Derby trail again with a good one here, out of top Sire Good Magic. Runner beat Further Ado in Maiden, and that runner is labeled as a Derby favorite, so why not this guy. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche has options from a tough post, with interesting Brisnet early and late pace figures both high, and nearly the same (early 106 / late 102). Once again the Flavian Prat runner #2 Paladin 3-1 will get much deserved attention.

Race 10 — 3:37 EST — The Cigar Mile Gr2 — 500K — 1 Mile (Dirt)

Really can’t see anyone beating the fast and talented #6 Phileas Fogg 8-5. Two new wrinkles; with blinkers going on and jockey Joel Rosario taking the mount. Trainer Rodriguez Gustavo gave him a break pointing to this race, and said “it’s showtime“; when asked how he was doing!!

Two notes per Brisnet, lone E speed, and best pace to the 6 furlong distance, by a lot. So should have company early, but will then pull away to the wire.

Race 11 — The NY Stallion Series — 500K — 7 Furlongs

Once again the Big A putting out a big field for bettors. Trainer Butch Reid has #2 Parker Boone 8-5 ready to make some noise. Runner won by 12 ¼ 1st time out and was under wraps early. Naysayers will say “who did he beat”, but runners out of Solomini are often very good, very early. Will have other speed to deal with, but a ground saving post should seal the deal.

Final Notes

Stay tuned as we continue to grow, and tune in on Saturday for our 12:30 Podcast, with scratches and changes affecting our picks. And as the saying goes, Let ‘em Run.

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Sports

NFL rights fees could change college conference expansion

Published

13 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Austin Reed

NFL and COLLEGE FOOTBALL – THE sec How Sports Is Saving Broadcast TV: The Rise of Live Programming in a Streaming-Dominated Era

Escalating costs of NFL and MLB renewals, combined with cable decline and streaming fragmentation, are likely to make ESPN, Amazon, Apple, CBS, NBC, Fox, and YouTube more cautious about paying significantly higher college football rights fees. This financial pressure could slow down aggressive expansion and reduce the incentive to add ACC schools like Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, and Miami, especially since their recent on-field performance has weakened their market value.

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Why Networks May Pause Spending

NFL & MLB renewals dominate budgets: The NFL’s Thanksgiving 2025 ratings shattered records, proving why networks will commit billions more to retain rights. MLB’s upcoming renewal adds another heavy obligation.
Streaming entrants already stretched: Amazon, Apple, and YouTube are investing heavily in NFL packages and global sports, limiting their appetite for additional college conference deals.
Cable volatility: Cord-cutting erodes traditional revenue streams, forcing networks to be more selective with rights investments.

College Conference Dynamics

Big Ten & SEC remain secure: Their multibillion-dollar deals ($8B+ for Big Ten, $3B for SEC) ensure stability and make them the only conferences positioned to expand further but only if there is more money to get from the media partners.
ACC locked in: ESPN extended its deal through 2036, giving the conference stability but limiting renegotiation. This makes poaching ACC schools less financially attractive unless ESPN adjusts terms.
Big 12 opportunism: Benefited from Pac-12’s collapse, but future expansion depends on whether networks see value in adding mid-tier programs.

Risks for ACC Schools

Performance matters: Florida State, Clemson, UNC, and Miami have struggled with subpar seasons, reducing their bargaining power. Networks are less likely to pay premiums for underperforming brands.
Revenue-sharing pressures: Following the House v. NCAA settlement, schools must share revenue with athletes, increasing the need for higher payouts. If networks won’t pay more, weaker conferences risk losing schools without replacement value.
Exposure vs. payout trade-off: Streaming platforms may prefer cherry-picking marquee matchups rather than funding entire conferences, further reducing incentives to add schools.

Likely Outcomes

Slower expansion: Networks will prioritize retaining NFL/MLB rights over funding new college realignment.
Selective poaching: Big Ten and SEC may still target top ACC schools if they rebound competitively, but only if the economics justify it.
ACC stability (for now): ESPN’s long-term deal through 2036 makes immediate exits difficult, though lawsuits from FSU and Clemson could test that structure.

Bottom Line

The financial strain of NFL and MLB renewals means networks are unlikely to pay dramatically more for college football in the near term. That reduces the incentive for conferences to expand aggressively, making another Pac-12-style collapse less likely in the short run — but leaving underperforming ACC schools vulnerable if their value doesn’t rebound.

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