Amazon.com Inc. is close to making a deal to show NBA games on its Prime Video service. This would be a big step in adding more sports to their streaming offer.
The NBA wants to work with different platforms, not just TV channels, so this deal fits with their plans. They’re still talking about the details, like how many games will be included.
This deal might also cover the WNBA, which would help more people watch women’s basketball.
Despite the possible deal with Amazon, the NBA is also close to renewing its contract with Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN. ESPN would still show the NBA Finals, but fewer regular-season games compared to before.
This change shows how the NBA wants its games on different platforms, not just TV. This is because more people are watching shows and sports online. The NBA’s contracts with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. are worth a lot of money each year. They’ll end after the 2024-2025 season.
The NBA wants to make even more money from TV rights with these new deals. They’re talking with other networks like Warner Bros. and Comcast Corp.’s NBC. Warner Bros. has been showing NBA games since 1984 through its Turner division, and NBC used to show them until 2002.
The NBA knows that sports on TV are still very popular, even though fewer people are watching regular TV shows.
