The NBA has officially released its 2025-26 TV and streaming schedule, a move demonstrating the league’s continued transition into streaming. The schedule spreads games across traditional networks such as ABC, NBC, and ESPN, while focusing heavily on streaming platforms like Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. This move reflects a $76 billion, 11-year media rights deal announced earlier this year with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon. It’s a clear sign that the league is betting big on reaching younger audiences, with NBCUniversal’s $2.45 billion annual commitment bringing a new broadcast presence via Peacock and local NBC affiliates.
This new distribution model introduces a complex viewing experience that could confuse fans as much as it could engage them. Peacock will stream a Monday night doubleheader, while Tuesdays will have games on both NBC and Peacock. Amazon Prime Video joins with a Thursday package, including 10 NBA Cup games and knockout rounds.
With the new deal, Amazon becomes a major player in the NBA media landscape. Prime Video’s exclusive coverage of 66 regular-season games, including Black Friday matchups and playoff rounds, solidifies Prime Video as a global streaming leader for basketball, along with being a third-party destination for NBA League Pass. For the NBA, this isn’t just about revenue, it’s about exposure and growing its streaming presence.
As the season tips off on October 21 with an NBC and Peacock doubleheader, the real question will be whether this new approach expands the NBA’s audience or complicates it, as the league’s media future has changed dramatically through 2035.
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