Starting with the 2025-2026 season, the 21-time Emmy-winning program "Inside the NBA" is broadcasting on ESPN and ABC. TNT Sports, the network that lost its game rights, reached a rare licensing agreement with ESPN to carry the show.
The commitment from the Hall of Fame crew was the critical factor in saving the show. The network bet that the talent’s unscripted dynamic and genuine rapport were more valuable than the original network affiliation. This strategic move instantly cemented Inside the NBA as the flagship studio show for ESPN's coverage.
Here's what to know about the future of "Inside the NBA" starting this season.
MORE:Cooper Flagg can be 7th player in NBA history with impressive rookie feat
Is 'Inside the NBA' ending?
No, "Inside the NBA" is not ending. The iconic studio show, which concluded its legendary run on TNT at the end of the 2024-2025 NBA season, has secured a new home and will continue to air. The program's original run on TNT ended because the network (Warner Bros. Discovery) lost its domestic broadcast rights to the NBA.
The show is transitioning to ESPN and ABC starting with the 2025-2026 NBA season. In a highly unusual and unprecedented deal, ESPN is licensing the rights to broadcast the show while TNT Sports will retain production duties. This means the program will still be filmed in its Atlanta studios, and the core cast -- Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith -- will all remain together, preserving the unique chemistry fans have celebrated for decades.
For viewers, the primary change will be the show's schedule. Inside the NBA will no longer be a consistent presence on multiple weeknights. Instead, it will be strategically featured around ESPN/ABC's biggest events, including the NBA Finals, Conference Finals, Christmas Day games, and select marquee regular-season matchups.
MORE:NBA top 100 defenders rankings
Why isn't inside the NBA on TNT?
The change stems from the NBA's massive new media rights deal, which takes effect beginning with the 2025-2026 season. For over three decades, TNT (owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, or WBD) was a fixture of NBA coverage, but the network was ultimately excluded from the league's new broadcasting agreements, which were awarded to ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video.
Despite losing the rights to broadcast live NBA games, the show itself was saved through a rare and complex licensing agreement. ESPN/ABC acquired the rights to air Inside the NBA, while TNT Sports will retain the independent production of the show.
For fans, the program now airs exclusively on ESPN and ABC platforms, scheduled around high-profile games like the NBA Finals and major playoff matchups. This move underscores the immense cultural value of the show and the network’s effort to preserve its most valuable property, even as the landscape of NBA broadcasting undergoes a historic transformation.
MORE:Why Trae Young, Kristaps Porzingis and company may be poised for a leap
Is Inside the NBA on ESPN?
The show officially moved channels starting with the 2025-2026 NBA season. It will be featured on ESPN and ABC platforms, aligning its broadcasts with the most significant games and events the networks carry, including the NBA Finals and marquee regular-season matchups.
MORE:NBA analyst weighs in on Victor Wembanyama's MVP future with Spurs
Inside the NBA hosts
Ernie Johnson Jr.
Johnson Jr. is the widely respected, six-time Sports Emmy Award-winning host and anchor of Inside the NBA. Beyond the NBA, he is the lead host for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament coverage on CBS/Turner and has covered numerous other major sporting events, including the MLB, NFL, and the Olympics.
Johnson is equally renowned for his personal life and actions off-camera. He has been candid about his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and his family’s journey with their six children, four of whom are adopted, including their son Michael, who had special needs. His integrity and commitment to his faith have earned him accolades like the John Wooden Keys to Life Award and a Musial Award, cementing his status as one of sports television's most admired figures.
Charles Barkley
Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets. His career accolades include the 1993 NBA MVP Award, 11 All-Star selections, and a place on the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
Barkley retired in 2000 as the fourth player in NBA history to amass 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists, and he is a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (for his individual career and as a member of the 1992 "Dream Team"). Since joining Inside the NBA in 2000, his candor, humor, and willingness to criticize both players and the league have made him one of the most influential and highest-paid sports analysts in media.
Shaquille O'Neal
O'Neal joined the show in 2011. During his 19-year playing career, "Shaq" was one of the most dominant forces in basketball, winning 4 NBA Championships, three consecutive with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. His individual achievements include the 1999–2000 NBA MVP Award, 3 Finals MVP Awards, and 15 All-Star selections.
O'Neal retired in 2011 as one of the top ten scorers in NBA history, but his fame and influence extend far beyond the court. Known for his "larger-than-life" personality, Shaq has successfully parlayed his athletic career into music, film, business, and a popular side hustle as a DJ.
Kenny Smith
Kenny "The Jet" Smith played 10 seasons in the NBA, most notably winning back-to-back NBA Championships with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995. He was a highly productive point guard, named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1988 after being selected sixth overall in the 1987 NBA Draft.
Prior to his professional career, Smith was a consensus first-team All-American at the University of North Carolina, where he still holds the school's career assist record. Since retiring, Smith has become an integral part of the Inside the NBA dynamic since joining the show in 1998.
MORE:Celtics’ lack of depth at center could be perfect opportunity to trade with Suns
Will Inside the NBA continue after 2026?
Yes, Inside the NBA is expected to continue after the 2026 season.
The confusion arose because TNT lost its domestic NBA broadcast rights, leading to the end of the "NBA on TNT" era in mid-2025. However, following a settlement with the NBA, a deal was struck to preserve the show.
The current agreements and host contracts align with the long-term future of the league's media landscape. WBD agreed to a multi-year deal with Disney (ESPN/ABC) to license Inside the NBA, and the essential quartet of Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal, and Smith all signed extensions with WBD to remain on the program. This licensing deal ensures the show remains intact and will continue to cover major events like the NBA Finals and Conference Finals for the foreseeable future.
Barkley signed a massive 10-year, $210 million contract extension with WBD in 2022. While this deal provides him with a reported $21 million annual salary through 2032, Barkley has publicly stated his intention to retire much sooner — potentially after the 2026 or 2027 season — despite the long duration of the contract. His contract also contains a unique opt-out clause tied to WBD losing the NBA, which gave him leverage during the transition.
The other three primary hosts also have long-term deals with WBD, ensuring the entire core crew remains intact. Shaquille O'Neal recently re-signed a significant extension, reportedly worth over $15 million annually. Johnson Jr. and Smith also secured long-term contract extensions with WBD in 2022.
MORE:Nuggets sign NBA champion guard, Nikola Jokic co-star to $125 million contract extension