Amanda Knapp
The NBA Playoffs are televised nationally in the United States on channels including ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. ABC has aired the NBA Finals exclusively since 2003 and will continue to do so through 2036. ESPN televises games on selected Friday nights, while TNT has the rights to broadcast most playoff games. The first two rounds are usually coordinated by the day of the week, with ABC and ESPN covering weekend games and TNT covering weekday games. Coverage of the first two rounds is split between ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video, while the conference finals alternate between these platforms annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 13-14 March 2024 |
| Channels | USA Network, CBS Sports Network, CBS, Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app |
| Teams | Saint Joseph’s, Richmond, VCU, UMass, St. Bonaventure Bonnies, Loyola Chicago Ramblers, Duquesne, Dayton, Fordham, La Salle, George Washington Revolutionaries |
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What You'll Learn
Streaming services
To watch the NBA Playoffs on streaming services, you will need access to ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV. Here are some of the streaming providers that offer these channels:
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM provides access to all four channels. For NBA TV, you may need to purchase an add-on.
Sling
Sling also offers access to all four channels, but you may need to purchase an add-on for NBA TV.
Fubo
Fubo only has access to ESPN, ABC, and NBA TV. It does not carry TNT or any other Turner cable channels. However, Fubo subscribers can watch TNT games by subscribing to the Max streaming service, which includes simulcasts of TNT games through a Bleacher Report add-on. Additionally, TNT games can be viewed for free through TNT Overtime on the NBA app, although these streams may not include announcers or traditional camera angles.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV provides access to ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV also offers access to all four channels.
NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass is available through Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, Sling, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, and more. It provides access to NBA TV and allows you to watch games through the WatchTNT app (TNT) or the ESPN app (ESPN and ABC).
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Cable TV channels
The A-10 men's basketball tournament is aired on multiple cable TV channels. The 2024 tournament was aired on the USA Network, CBS Sports Network, and CBS. The USA Network aired the second round and quarterfinals, the semifinals aired on CBS Sports Network, and the championship game was aired on CBS. The championship game could also be streamed on Paramount+.
The 2025 tournament will be aired on similar channels. The majority of games across the opening three days will be aired live on the USA Network. The semifinals will air on CBS Sports Network, and the championship game will be aired on CBS. The championship game can also be streamed with Paramount+.
Peacock has the exclusive streaming rights for select games. For the 2023-2024 season, Peacock streamed 32 men's basketball games and 20 women's basketball games.
NBC Sports also streamed the 2024 A-10 Tournament quarterfinal games on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
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Broadcasting the NBA finals
Broadcasting rights for the NBA are big business, with various networks vying for the chance to show games. In 2025, the NBA entered into 11-year agreements with broadcast channels ABC and NBC, pay television network ESPN, and streaming services Peacock and Amazon Prime Video.
ABC has been the home of the NBA Finals since 2003 and will continue to be so until at least 2036. The NBA Finals is one of the few sporting events to be shown on a national broadcast network on a weeknight. The 2025 NBA Finals will be exclusively shown on ABC, with games also available on ESPN3 via streaming services such as Sling, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, and YouTube TV.
The first two rounds of the playoffs are usually coordinated by the day of the week, with ABC and ESPN covering weekend games and TNT broadcasting weekday games. NBATV and local markets channels also cover the first round, with ESPN and TNT taking over in the second round. The conference finals are then split by network, with ESPN covering the West and TNT the East.
The NBA first entered the cable market in 1979 with a deal with the USA Network, with ESPN also broadcasting games from 1982 to 1984. Turner Sports then replaced ESPN and USA Network, with games split between TBS and CBS from the 1988-89 season. TNT went on to hold the rights to broadcast most regular-season and playoff games, while NBC took over the broadcast rights from CBS in 1990, a move that saw the league's popularity soar.
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Streaming without cable/satellite
Nationally televised NBA games are aired on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. Games in your area that are not nationally televised can be found on Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), which vary by city and are usually included as part of a cable package.
If you don't have cable or satellite TV, you can still stream NBA games via several streaming services:
- Sling: Sling is a more affordable option that carries ESPN and TNT. Sling does not carry ABC, but games are simulcast on ESPN3. Sling is available with an NBA TV/League Pass add-on.
- YouTube TV: Includes access to NBA TV, TNT, ESPN, and ABC, though you won't find RSNs on this platform. Plans start at $72.99/month.
- Hulu with Live TV: Hulu with Live TV gets you access to ABC, TNT, and ESPN. Hulu with Live TV includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ in addition to live TV offerings. Hulu with Live TV does not include NBA TV.
- Fubo: Fubo is popular with sports fans and has RSNs but does not have TNT.
- DirecTV Stream: One of the most expensive options but also the most comprehensive. DirecTV Stream offers the convenience of channel-flipping and comprehensive coverage without the need for contracts or hardware.
Additionally, you can purchase an NBA League Pass to get access to out-of-market games (but not local or national games). League Pass Premium subscribers get access to an In-Arena Stream during halftime and game breaks and can download full-length games to watch offline on Android and iOS devices.
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Streaming providers
The NBA Playoffs are broadcast on a variety of channels, including ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. The first two rounds are usually coordinated by the day of the week, with ABC and ESPN covering weekend games and TNT covering weekday games. The conference finals are split by network, with ESPN covering the West and TNT covering the East. The NBA Finals are exclusive to ABC.
- DIRECTV STREAM
- Sling (with an add-on for NBA TV)
- YouTube TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- Fubo (with access to ESPN, ABC, and NBA TV, but not TNT or Turner cable channels; however, Fubo subscribers can access TNT games by subscribing to the Max streaming service)
- Amazon Prime Video
Some streaming services also offer free trials.
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Frequently asked questions
The NBA Playoffs will be aired on ESPN, ABC, NBC, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, NBA TV, NBA League Pass and RSNs.
The NBA Finals will be aired exclusively on ABC.
Sling is the home for sports fans as it offers a wide range of channels. Fubo subscribers can also watch the Playoffs but do not have access to TNT.
Optimum Select TV + Optimum 300 will get you over 200+ channels (including ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV) and download speeds up to 300 Mbps.
