Warner Bros. Discovery, led by David Zaslav, is actively negotiating to retain its NBA broadcasting rights amid fierce competition from NBC, Amazon Prime, and other contenders. Despite being considered the underdog, Warner Bros. Discovery aims to continue its 40-year association with the NBA through TNT and its popular show, 'Inside the NBA,' featuring Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal. However, reports indicate that NBC has finalized a $2.6 billion media rights deal with the NBA, potentially ending TNT's long-standing relationship with the league. TNT reportedly wouldn’t double their old offer in the exclusive rights negotiations and now will have to pay more or lose the NBA. If the deal goes through, next season could be a challenging 'lame duck year' for TNT, as stated by Barkley. Fans have expressed disappointment over the potential end of 'Inside the NBA,' sharing their favorite moments from the show.
A few thoughts on "Inside the NBA" - This doesn't have to be the end. Ernie, Charles, Kenny & Shaq will be offered more $ to continue elsewhere. - Ernie & Charles have hinted at retirement for years. - No league is making a $2-3 billion annual rights deal based on a studio show.
If I'm Disney, Amazon, or NBC, I'm throwing a gazillion dollars at the "Inside the NBA" crew to keep this show going. https://t.co/UbZ4T1yyhK
Charles Barkley, one of the mainstays of the long-venerated studio show Inside the NBA, says the current media rights situation “sucks right now” for Warner Bros. Discovery staffers https://t.co/5qFvJxUTn2
Fans share favorite 'Inside the NBA' moments after media rights could end beloved TNT show https://t.co/HcrqpK2WBb
Inside the NBA is one of the best TV shows of all time regardless of genre. A show so important...the NBA's net worth should be negatively impacted in the future. Why couldn't we get NBC and TNT with ESPN/ABC being the network dropped? We just can't have nice things anymore. https://t.co/slKW1jyHmx
Charles Barkley says next season will be ‘tough lame duck year’ if TNT loses NBA rights https://t.co/E0VYzhO7Z9
JUST IN: NBA Reportedly Finalizes Blockbuster $2.6B Media Rights Deal With NBC, Cuts Ties With 40-Year Rightsholder TNT https://t.co/upTOxT1jkz
"Inside The NBA" may soon be gone, but NBC has some interesting stuff to offer https://t.co/wCvDYy49AI
TNT reportedly wouldn’t double their old offer in the exclusive rights negotiations and now will have to pay more or lose the NBA: https://t.co/akpWJ4LKwF
TNT 'loses NBA rights' in HUGE blow for fan favorites Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal https://t.co/0tYamEfzP3 https://t.co/zo555uU2Rb
TNT is still fighting to save its 40-year NBA relationship—and its hit show, Inside the NBA. To keep them, Warner Bros. Discovery is trying to fend off NBC, Amazon Prime, and others looking to get in on the league. More ⬇️
NEW: Warner Bros. Discovery is still very much alive at the negotiating table to try to retain its NBA rights, sources with direct knowledge of the talks tell FOS. WBD is still "the underdog," but it’s working to pull off a "last-second buzzer beater." @MMcCarthyREV's column ⬇️
TUNED IN: Don’t Count Out TNT for NBA Rights Just Yet. Could David Zaslav + Charles Barkley's 'Inside the NBA' pull off a last-second buzzer-beater to save TNT's 40-year NBA relationship? https://t.co/BXJ5tMJobP