RANT SPORTS – “Inside the NBA,” the highly popular and entertaining studio show featuring Ernie Johnson Jr, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley, is set to move to ESPN/ABC after this season concludes. Followers of sports media are aware that the NBA has secured a new 11-year, $77 billion deal with ABC/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, leaving long-time partner TNT out of the agreement. This has led fans of the beloved studio show to ponder if they are witnessing the end of an era for Ernie, Kenny, Shaq, and Sir Charles.
Front Office Sports reported within the last 72 hours that ESPN will be licensed to air “Inside the NBA” starting next season. This development is part of a settlement arising from Warner Brothers Discovery’s July lawsuit against the NBA, ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. Consequently, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and host Ernie Johnson are anticipated to carry on with the show. It will continue to be produced by TNT in their Atlanta studio, with the highly skilled production crew ensuring it maintains the same quality as it does on TNT.
The terms of the deal will give TNT total control of the show including editorial and access to other NBA content.
In addition to the transition of “Inside the NBA” to ESPN and ABC, the settlement reportedly allows Warner Bros. Discovery to maintain access to NBA content for its digital platforms, such as Bleacher Report and House of Highlights, and to continue managing the NBA’s digital operations, including NBA TV, for the next eleven years.
What happens the ESPN’s NBA Countdown?
I would expect the show will continue as a part of the network’s NBA coverage and will be broadcast regularly each week. Meanwhile, “Inside the NBA” will be the network’s flagship program, scheduled to air before all the major regular seasons, as well as during the All-Star Week and the NBA Playoffs.
It will be fun to see what Chuck says about ESPN
Over the years Barkley has been one the biggest critics of ESPN and how they cover just about anything and everything. Remembering that he remains an employe off TNT and not ESPN it will be fun to see if now that his show airs on the Worldwide Leader if that tames him.
Washington based CEO & Founder of LJC. Media covering politics, sports, & entertainment A seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director, and podcast host. Digital Director and Washington Bureau Chief at News Talk Florida & The Daily Cable
