The 2024-25 NBA season marked the end of an era for "Inside the NBA," arguably the most well-known sports studio show out there. But while that era has come and passed, the show is alive and well.
"Inside the NBA" will air on ESPN airwaves beginning in the 2025-26 season, remaining the same pregame and postgame show surrounding some of the league's biggest matchups as part of the NBA's TV right shakeup.
And for the most part, the program will look the same — not only are the star faces back, but "Inside the NBA" will still be produced by TNT Sports, despite airing on another network.
When will "Inside the NBA" air on ESPN? How can you watch the iconic NBA program? Here's everything to know about the show's 2025-26 schedule, the crew returning and more.
MORE:Complete guide to NBA's new-look broadcast schedule
Inside the NBA schedule 2025-26
ESPN has announced the full regular season schedule for when "Inside the NBA" will air around its NBA games. The show's playoff schedule will be released at a later date.
Here is when the show will air during the 2025-26 regular season:
Date Network Game Franchise
Wed, Oct. 22 ESPN NBA on ESPN doubleheader
Thu, Oct. 23 ESPN NBA on ESPN doubleheader
Wed, Oct. 29 ESPN NBA on ESPN doubleheader
Wed, Nov. 12 ESPN NBA on ESPN doubleheader
Thu, Dec. 25 ESPN, ABC NBA on Christmas
Sat, Jan. 24 ABC NBA Saturday Primetime
Wed, Jan. 28 ESPN NBA on ESPN doubleheader
Sat, Jan. 31 ABC NBA Saturday Primetime
Sat, Feb. 7 ABC NBA Saturday Primetime
Fri, Feb. 20 ESPN NBA on ESPN doubleheader
Sat, Feb. 21 ABC NBA Saturday Primetime
Sun, Feb. 22 ABC NBA Sunday Showcase
Fri, Feb. 27 ESPN NBA on ESPN doubleheader
Sat, Feb. 28 ABC NBA Saturday Primetime
Sun, Mar. 1 ABC NBA Sunday Showcase
Fri, Mar. 6 ESPN NBA on ESPN doubleheader
Sat, Mar. 7 ABC NBA Saturday Primetime
Sun, Mar. 8 ABC NBA Sunday Showcase
Sat, Mar. 14 ABC NBA Saturday Primetime
Sun, Apr. 12 ESPN NBA on ESPN doubleheader
STREAM: Watch 'Inside the NBA' live with Fubo (free trial)
How to watch Inside the NBA in 2025-26
TV Channels: ESPN, ABC
Live stream: ESPN app, Fubo
Depending on the day, "Inside the NBA" will air nationally on various ESPN networks, either ESPN, ABC or both.
Streaming options to catch "Inside the NBA" throughout the 2025-26 season include the ESPN App or Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.
Inside the NBA on ESPN details
"Inside the NBA," for the most part, will be the same show it always has been — except it will air on ESPN. It will continue to be produced by TNT Sports in its Atlanta studios, as it was before, and it will also remain a pregame, halftime and postgame program around NBA games in both the regular season and playoffs.
The on-air crew includes the same four every fan is familiar with: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith.
As it transitions to ESPN, the only key difference from before will be the timing of when the show airs. With TNT no longer carrying NBA games, the "Inside the NBA" crew will now be appearing alongside ESPN's top NBA events, which includes a mix of Saturday nights, weekday doubleheaders, Christmas Day and some Sunday afternoons.
For ESPN games with "Inside the NBA," the show will begin one hour before tipoff, and the postgame show will begin immediately following the game coverage concluding. When "Inside the NBA" is airing on ABC, it will begin 30 minutes prior to tipoff.
The postgame shows following "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC" will start immediately following the game on ABC, continuing on the ESPN App. "Inside the NBA" will serve as the pregame show for the "NBA Sunday Showcase" series on ABC.
MORE:Ranking 'Inside the NBA's best moments on TNT
Inside the NBA crew
Here's what to know about the 2025-26 "Inside the NBA" crew, the same unit the show has had for years.
Ernie Johnson
Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Ernie Johnson is the host of "Inside the NBA," as he has been since 1990. He's the longest-tenured face of the program, often viewed as synonymous with the brand of the show.
Originally a sideline reporter for TNT, Johnson became the show's host in its second season and never turned back. The 69-year-old is also well-known for his roles as a TV voice and host on TBS' MLB coverage, along with TNT's coverage of the NCAA Tournament.
Charles Barkley
Just after his NBA career ended, Charles Barkley joined "Inside the NBA" as an analyst in 2000. He's remained a staple of the show since then, offering his blend of humor, criticism and basketball knowledge as a Basketball Hall of Famer and 11-time All-Star.
Barkley, 62, initially said he would retire from broadcasting when TNT stopped broadcasting the NBA, but he later reversed that decision, remaining on his contract and continuing on "Inside the NBA" as it heads to ESPN.
Shaquille O'Neal
Before the 2011-12 NBA season, TNT hired Shaquille O'Neal to appear on "Inside the NBA." Like Barkley, he's stuck on since then, fitting right in with the blend of humor, basketball knowledge, pop culture and criticism the show offers.
O'Neal, 53, is also a Basketball Hall of Famer and former 15-time All-Star. He often appears in plenty other areas of sports media, also taking up music and acting.
Kenny Smith
The longest-tenured analyst of the "Inside the NBA" crew, Kenny Smith joined Ernie Johnson in 1998 as a full-time member of the show. Nicknamed "The Jet" during his NBA career, Smith was a two-time champion in his career.
Just as Barkley and O'Neal, the 60-year-old Smith reportedly signed an extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports in 2022 to continue on "Inside the NBA" for the long-term.
When is the next Inside the NBA broadcast?
The first "Inside the NBA" broadcast of the 2025-26 NBA season will be on Wednesday, Oct. 22, making its debut on ESPN.
The show is set to air from 6-7 p.m. ET on Oct. 22 as a pregame, halftime and postgame program to ESPN's coverage of Cavaliers vs. Knicks and Spurs vs. Mavericks.
Additionally, the following night (Thursday, Oct. 23), "Inside the NBA" will also air pregame ESPN from 6:30-7:30 p.m., then at halftime and postgame as well.
Is Inside the NBA ending?
No, "Inside the NBA" is not ending. While the show had its last season airing on TNT in 2024-25, it is now moving to ESPN with the same crew and virtually every detail the same.
"Inside the NBA" is continuing in similar fashion, but airing on ESPN beginning in the 2025-26 season.