- A New Home: The iconic sports talk show “Inside the NBA” is moving from TNT to ESPN and ABC for the 2025-26 season, but the beloved cast of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson remains intact.
- Season Premiere: The show will debut on its new network on Wednesday, Oct. 22, providing coverage for the doubleheader featuring the New York Knicks vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
- Limited Appearances: Fans must pay close attention to the schedule, as the crew is only scheduled to appear on 20 specific days during the regular season before returning for the NBA Playoffs and Finals.
- Unique Production: In a unique arrangement, the show will still be produced by TNT from its Atlanta studio, ensuring the same award-winning feel despite airing on a different network.
A New Chapter for an Iconic NBA Show
The landscape of NBA broadcasting is undergoing a seismic shift, and at the center of it is the legendary studio show, “Inside the NBA.” After months of speculation following the NBA’s new $76 billion media rights deal, it’s confirmed: the award-winning ensemble of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson is moving to ESPN and ABC for the 2025-26 season. While TNT is no longer a broadcast partner for the league, fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the iconic crew isn’t being broken up.
Mark Your Calendars: The ESPN Debut
The new era begins on Wednesday, Oct. 22, when “Inside the NBA” airs its first show on ESPN. The crew will provide their signature pregame, halftime, and postgame analysis for a high-profile doubleheader. ESPN’s pregame coverage is set to start at 6 p.m. ET. The team will be back the very next night, Thursday, Oct. 23, for another doubleheader that includes an NBA Finals rematch between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.
Burke Magnus, ESPN president of content, affirmed the network’s commitment to the show’s legacy. “We’re proud that ‘Inside the NBA’ – one of the most iconic and beloved shows in all of media – will play a leading role in our NBA coverage,” he stated. “Fans should expect the same great show they’re accustomed to watching.”
The Shockingly Limited 2025-26 Regular Season Schedule
Fans who are used to watching the crew multiple times a week will need to adjust. The show will air irregularly, with only 20 dates confirmed for the entire regular season. After an initial burst in the first week, appearances become sparse, with just one more show scheduled before their Christmas Day broadcast. Here is the full schedule you can’t afford to miss:
- October 22, 23, 29
- November 12
- December 25 (Christmas Day)
- January 24, 28, 31
- February 7, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28
- March 1, 6, 7, 8, 14
- April 12
How the New Format Works
The show’s format will remain familiar. On ESPN, pregame coverage will begin one hour before tipoff, while ABC broadcasts will start 30 minutes prior. Postgame shows will air immediately following the games. A significant detail in this transition is the production itself. Thanks to a sub-licensing deal between Disney (ESPN/ABC’s parent company) and Warner Bros. Discovery (TNT’s parent company), the show will continue to be produced by TNT from its Atlanta studio, preserving the chemistry and style that has made it a fan favorite for decades.
Image Referance: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/10/21/inside-the-nba-schedule-start-date-espn-charles-barkley/86822638007/