ESPN’s advance listings show 'Inside the NBA' in a half-hour postgame slot after the October 22 doubleheader, shorter than usual. The schedule hints at how ESPN will deal with the TNT show with Scott Van Pelt’s SportsCenter during its new broadcast partnership.
ESPN’s advance schedule may have tipped thenetwork’s hand onhow it will handle TNT’s 'Inside the NBA'this season.
The TNT-produced studio show is slated for ahalf-hour slot — 12:05to 12:35 AM ET —immediately after ESPN’s first NBAdoubleheader of theseason onOctober 22.It would lead into aBristol-based SportsCenter at 12:35.
That’s anoticeable shift. Inrecent years,Inside the NBAhas typically run about 50minutes,rarely dipping below 40. Theshorter window could be aplaceholder,but last year even placeholder listings generally gave theshow afull hour.
Curiously,Inside isn’t listed for thefollowing night,when ESPN’s second doubleheader leads into SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, thenetwork’s signature late-night postgame show.However, the TNT-produced NBATip-Off is scheduled to air before ESPN’s coverage onboth nights.
While theschedule remains subject to change,it does hint at ESPN’s balancing act between thelong-running TNTprogram andVan Pelt’s SportsCenter,which has become thenetwork’s postgame show ofrecord.
Beyond Opening Week, 'Inside the NBA'won’t be aregular ESPNfixture.According to last year’s licensing agreement, the TNTstudio show will appear during:
The NBAFinals on ABC
ConferenceFinals
NBAPlayoffs
All ABCgamesafterJanuary 1
ChristmasDay
Openingweek
Thefinalweek of theseason
Othermarqueeliveevents
If theOctober 22half-hour listing holds,fans could see avery different Inside the NBApacing to kick off the ESPNera.
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