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Basketball fans in the United States have been able to watch NBA games on TNT since 1989, just a year after the channel's launch. The cable network's coverage includes the Inside the NBA studio show, weekly double-headers, and a majority of games during the first two rounds of the playoffs. The show has been a huge success, winning multiple Emmy Awards, and has been hosted by Ernie Johnson since 1990. In 2019, Johnson celebrated 30 years of working on the show, saying the time had zipped by.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year TNT started showing basketball | 1989 |
| Show | Inside the NBA |
| Producers | TNT Sports (formerly known as Turner Sports and later Warner Bros. Discovery Sports) |
| Broadcasters | TNT cable network |
| Streaming platform | Max |
| Simulcast and altcast platform | TruTV |
| Studio show host | Ernie Johnson |
| Analysts | Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal |
| Former analysts | Magic Johnson, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber |
| Play-by-play voice | Kevin Harlan, Brian Anderson, Ian Eagle, Spero Dedes |
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What You'll Learn
TNT's longest-running program
The TNT cable network has held the rights to broadcast NBA games since 1989, making it the channel's longest-running regular program and sporting event. The show, 'NBA on TNT', is produced by TNT Sports, formerly known as Turner Sports and later Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
'NBA on TNT' includes the Emmy award-winning studio show, 'Inside the NBA', weekly doubleheaders throughout the regular season on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a majority of games during the first two rounds of the playoffs, and one conference finals series.
TNT's coverage of the NBA has featured basketball stars such as Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. The network has also aired special events such as the 2021 NBA All-Star Game and the Western Conference finals.
In addition to 'NBA on TNT', the channel has a rich history of broadcasting other sports programs, including NASCAR from 2001 to 2014 and various basketball-related shows like 'Run It Back' and 'Inside Stuff'. TNT has also aired original programming, such as the popular series 'Witchblade', which ran from 2001 to 2002, and 'The Rudy and Gogo World Famous Cartoon Show', which featured Warner Bros., MGM, and Popeye shorts.
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Broadcasting rights
In the United States, the TNT cable network has held the rights to broadcast NBA games since 1989, the year after TNT launched. Its telecasts have also been streamed on its Max platform since 2023. TNT's NBA coverage includes the Inside the NBA studio show, weekly doubleheaders throughout the regular season on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a majority of games during the first two rounds of the playoffs, and one conference finals series.
TNT Sports and the NBA have jointly managed NBA Digital since 2009. In July 2024, the NBA signed new 11-year media deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. The NBA also agreed to a five-season renewal of its contract with TNT Sports to manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA.com and NBA TV. This agreement also includes a long-term license for TNT Sports to distribute NBA-related content via digital properties such as Bleacher Report and House of Highlights. In return, the NBA will also gain the right to distribute footage from other TNT Sports basketball broadcasts via its properties.
In November 2024, TNT Sports and the NBA reached a settlement, allowing Warner Bros. Discovery to continue operating the NBA's digital properties. This settlement also included a sublicensing agreement with The Walt Disney Company to broadcast Inside the NBA on ESPN and ABC beginning in the 2025-26 season, with TNT Sports continuing to produce the show with its existing personalities.
In July 2024, ahead of the 2025 Eastern Conference Final, Reggie Miller moved from TNT to NBC Sports to serve as the game analyst. Studio host Taylor Rooks also moved from TNT to Prime Video. The current NBA on TNT commentating roster includes Kevin Harlan, Brian Anderson, Ian Eagle, and Spero Dedes for play-by-play. Harlan and Anderson normally call Thursday games, while the latter also usually works Tuesday games with Eagle.
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Inside the NBA
In 1989, TNT acquired the rights to broadcast NBA games, making it the network's longest-running regular program and sporting event. The following year, in the 1990-1991 season, "Inside the NBA" debuted, initially without permanent hosts or analysts. The show, which is produced by TNT Sports, focuses on recaps of the day's games and features in-depth game analysis.
Ernie Johnson Jr. became the show's full-time host in its second season, a role he still holds today. Johnson occasionally invited former or current NBA players or coaches to join as guest analysts. In 1998, Kenny Smith joined Johnson full-time, and in 2000, former NBA All-Star Charles Barkley joined the show, becoming known for his bold and sometimes controversial statements.
Before the 2011-2012 season, Shaquille O'Neal was hired as a studio analyst, leading to the addition of the "Shaqtin' a Fool" segment, featuring bloopers from the league. During the 2020, 2021, and 2024 playoffs, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green made occasional appearances, and he was added to the analyst roster in 2022 while still an active player.
The popularity of "Inside the NBA" has led to reruns of the show on TNT Overtime on NBA.com. The show's analysts, except Barkley, have been featured in the NBA 2K video game series since NBA 2K15. Since 2011, the team has also covered the NCAA men's basketball tournament through a partnership with CBS and Turner for NCAA March Madness.
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Live broadcasts
The Emmy Award-winning 'Inside the NBA' is a halftime and postgame studio show for NBA on TNT broadcasts, hosted by Ernie Johnson since 1990. It is accompanied by simulcast and altcast shows on truTV, and has been streamed on TNT's Max platform since 2023.
In addition to the studio show, TNT's NBA coverage includes weekly doubleheaders throughout the regular season on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Thursday games moved to Tuesday in the fall and early winter to avoid clashing with the NFL. They also broadcast a majority of games during the first two rounds of the playoffs, and one conference finals series.
TNT also holds a "Road Show" tour in various cities throughout the season, featuring fan experiences and festivities, alongside a live broadcast of 'Inside the NBA' on-location. The tour began in Cleveland outside the Quicken Loans Arena, host of TNT's opening night game featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In 2024, the NBA signed new 11-year media deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. As part of this, ''Inside the NBA' will air on ESPN and ABC starting from the 2025-26 season, although TNT Sports will continue to produce the show.
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The Emmy-winning studio show
"Inside the NBA", TNT's Emmy-winning studio show, has been airing since 1990. It is the halftime and postgame studio show for NBA on TNT broadcasts. The show is hosted by Ernie Johnson, who is joined by analysts Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal. Notable former analysts include Magic Johnson, Reggie Miller, and Chris Webber.
"Inside the NBA" has consistently been rated as one of the best sports analysis shows on American television and has won multiple Sports Emmy Awards. The show's popularity has led to reruns being aired on TNT Overtime on NBA.com, and analysts from the show (with the exception of Barkley) have been featured in the NBA 2K video game series.
The show is known for the interplay between its panelists, who often veer away from discussions of basketball games. The panelists have been praised for their willingness to engage in serious conversations when circumstances demand it, such as during the 2016 presidential election. The show's approach has resonated with viewers, and its success has been attributed to the fact that it treats its guests as equals, encouraging genuine and spontaneous debate.
In 2021, TNT aired "The Inside Story", a four-part miniseries documenting "Inside the NBA", which was nominated for a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary Series. Beginning with the 2025-26 season, "Inside the NBA" will air on ESPN and ABC as part of a sub-licensing agreement, with TNT Sports continuing to produce the show.
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Frequently asked questions
TNT has been broadcasting National Basketball Association (NBA) games since 1989, a year after it launched.
Inside the NBA, which has been airing since 1989.
Ernie Johnson has been the host of Inside the NBA since 1990.
The analysts on Inside the NBA are Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal.
