NBC Returns to NBA Broadcasts in Record $76B Deal Through 2036

NBA on nbc

 The 2025–26 NBA season tipped off Tuesday night not only with a pair of nationally televised games, but with a sense of history coming full circle. For the first time in nearly two decades, NBC once again carried the league’s opening night — a moment steeped in nostalgia, corporate reshuffling, and the unmistakable echo of John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock.”


NBC’s long-awaited return to NBA broadcasting comes as part of a monumental 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal, one of the most lucrative in sports history. As reported by Seeking Alpha, the agreement reshapes the league’s media ecosystem through 2036, uniting a new trio of broadcast giants: NBCUniversal, Disney, and Amazon.



A Changing of the Guard



The new deal formally ends Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) 40-year association with the NBA through TNT, the network that helped popularize the modern basketball broadcast. From the rise of Inside the NBA to the viral charisma of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, TNT’s exit marks the end of an era.


In its place, NBC steps in with both legacy and ambition. The network will broadcast up to 100 regular-season games and stream even more via its Peacock platform. According to KTLA, this includes exclusive Monday night matchups, a first for the league, and the network’s first NBA All-Star Weekend coverage in over twenty years.


Telemundo, NBC’s Spanish-language sibling network, will also air select Sunday night games — a clear signal that the NBA aims to expand its bilingual and global reach in the seasons ahead.



“Roundball Rock” and the Return of Nostalgia



For fans who grew up in the 1990s, the return of NBC basketball coverage is inseparable from its theme song — “Roundball Rock,” composed by John Tesh. The anthem, which once soundtracked the exploits of Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and countless playoff classics, has been revived and reimagined for the modern broadcast.


And in a twist that delighted fans, NBC announced that Michael Jordan himself would be joining its coverage team as a special contributor. His recurring segment, “MJ: Insights to Excellence,” promises a behind-the-scenes look into the mindset of one of the sport’s most influential figures — blending storytelling, mentorship, and personal reflection.



Streaming Meets Legacy



NBC’s partnership with Peacock underscores a crucial truth about modern sports consumption: the future is hybrid. The network plans to integrate live streaming, extended highlights, and behind-the-scenes content across its platforms, appealing to both traditional television audiences and the growing wave of cord-cutters.


Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video’s entry into the deal signals a seismic shift. For the first time, NBA games will have an exclusive streaming partner, mirroring the NFL’s Thursday Night Football model. Together, these moves reflect a clear strategy: reaching fans where they are, whether that’s in front of a TV or on a smartphone.



A Broadcast Renaissance



NBC’s return isn’t just a corporate reshuffle; it’s a cultural moment. The network that helped immortalize the NBA’s golden age in the 1990s — when Jordan’s Bulls were must-watch television — is back to do it again in a new era defined by stars like Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić, and Anthony Edwards.


And yet, the network’s comeback also represents a kind of renaissance for basketball broadcasting itself. With Disney’s ESPN, Amazon, and NBC all sharing rights, the league gains a broader and more competitive platform — one that promises fresh storytelling, expanded access, and, ideally, fewer blackout frustrations for fans.



A Full-Court Future



As the 2025–26 season unfolds, fans will once again hear the opening notes of “Roundball Rock,” followed by the unmistakable rhythm of professional basketball on NBC. It’s a marriage of old and new — nostalgia fused with innovation — and a reminder that, in the right hands, even something as familiar as an NBA broadcast can feel brand new again.


If the league’s opening night was any indication, this new era of NBA coverage isn’t just a return — it’s a revival.




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