In a significant realignment of media operations, TNT Sports (Warner Bros Discovery) will cease production of both NBA TV and NBA.com from October 1, 2025, as the National Basketball Association (NBA) prepares to take these platforms in-house for the first time in over 15 years.
The move follows TNT’s failure to renew its domestic broadcast rights deal with the league, closing a chapter that began with the 2008–09 season, when TNT began producing NBA TV from its Atlanta-based studios.
Why the Exit? Follow the Rights
TNT Sports’ decision to exit comes after the NBA finalized a US$76 billion rights package earlier this year with:
- Disney’s ESPN
- NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock)
- Amazon (Prime Video)
Despite TNT’s long-standing relationship with the NBA, negotiations failed to reach an agreement to retain production responsibilities for the league’s in-house media channels. As a result, NBA TV will now carry fewer live games and be operated internally by the league.
In an internal memo, TNT Sports CEO Luis Silberwasser confirmed:
“We made several proposals… but were unable to agree on a path forward that recognized the value of our expertise and operational excellence.”
What Happens Next?
From October 1, 2025, the NBA will take full control of:
- NBA TV programming (including select WNBA, G-League, and international games)
- NBA.com and related digital infrastructure
- Marketing, content planning, and technical operations
Meanwhile, Bleacher Report and House of Highlights, both WBD digital brands, will retain limited NBA content access for short-form, fan engagement purposes.
TNT’s celebrated studio show, Inside the NBA, will live on—sub-licensed to Disney’s ESPN and ABC as part of a transitional agreement.
A Shift Toward Centralized Media Control
This move reflects a broader trend of major sports leagues:
- Internalizing core media assets
- Retaining digital and editorial control
- Using platform ownership to future-proof monetization
In a fragmented media landscape, the NBA is pulling its most valuable fan engagement tools in-house, reducing reliance on third-party production partners.
Key Takeaways:
Digital is king — controlling NBA.com gives the league full data ownership and monetization potential
Bundled rights are out, specialized value is in — TNT’s wide offering wasn’t enough to retain its role
Expect other leagues to follow — particularly those with strong global IP and fan-led digital ambitions
