LONDON, Oct. 16, 2023– TNT Sports and the National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a multiyear broadcast collaboration that will deliver more than 250 live games and a range of NBA programming to fans in the UK and Ireland exclusively on TNT Sports’ platforms.
NBA coverage on TNT Sports will tip-off on Tuesday, Oct. 24 with an opening-night doubleheader. In the first game, the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets will receive their championship rings before hosting the Los Angeles Lakers in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals (12:30 a.m. UK time). In the second game, the Phoenix Suns will visit the Golden State Warriors (3 a.m. UK time) as three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal of Phoenix and 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul of Golden State make regular-season debuts with new teams and Paul faces the team for whom he played the previous three seasons.
In addition to at least nine games during each week of the regular season, TNT Sports will broadcast the league’s marquee events, including select games from the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, the NBA Playoffs, the Finals, NBA All-Star and the NBA Draft. Throughout the 2023-24 season, TNT Sports will also air more than 40 weekend games in primetime as part of “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays,” which features games starting as early as 6 p.m. UK time. discovery+ will become the streaming home of the NBA in the UK by offering live and on-demand coverage of all games and programming included in the agreement.
“We are hugely excited to be embarking on this journey with the NBA in the UK and Ireland,” said Trojan Paillot, Vice President, Sports Rights Acquisitions and Syndication, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe. “Fans watching basketball on our platforms will have much to look forward to, and we’re privileged to be able to lean on the outstanding foundation of TNT’s broadcasting of the NBA in the United States for over 30 years. When TNT Sports launched in July, we reaffirmed that premium rights were a priority for us, and the NBA falls squarely into that category. To have the best players in the world, competing in one of the toughest and entertaining competitions in world sport, is extremely exciting as we further extend our proposition in the UK and Ireland.”
“We are thrilled to build on our long-standing collaboration with TNT in the U.S. to bring live NBA games and programming to our passionate fans in the UK and Ireland,” said NBA Europe and Middle East Vice President, Global Media Distribution, Elsa Memmi. “With regular weekend games in primetime, extensive coverage of our marquee events, and original programming and highlights, fans now have a new home for the NBA.”
Complementing TNT Sports’ live game coverage will be a host of programming available across its platforms, including NBA highlight shows, original programming and classic games. TNT Sports’ digital and social platforms will also provide fans with on-demand access to premium content throughout the season, including game recaps and highlights.
TNT Sports launched in July 2023, committed to becoming the ultimate home for sport fans. discovery+ is the streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK with an unrivalled combination of live sport rights and entertainment through a new Premium plan, all for the same price previously charged for a BT Sport Monthly Pass*.
Full production plans and the broadcast schedule will be announced prior to the start of the NBA regular season.
Fans in the UK are Ireland can follow the NBA on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X and download the official NBA App on iOS and Android for the latest news, updates, scores, stats, schedules, videos and more. Fans can also purchase the latest NBA merchandise at the NBA Store in London and at NBAStore.eu.
KEY DATES
October 24, 2023: Start of the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season
November 3 – Dec. 9, 2023: NBA In-Season Tournament
February 16-18, 2024: NBA All-Star 2024 (Indianapolis, IN)
April 14, 2024: NBA Regular Season ends
April 20, 2024: NBA Playoffs 2024 begin
May 21-22, 2024: Conference Finals begin (possible move up to May 19-20)
June 6, 2024: NBA Finals 2024 Game 1
HOW DO I WATCH TNT SPORTS?
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms including BT TV, Sky and Virgin Media. Existing BT Sport customers have been able to watch and enjoy TNT Sports without needing to take any further action.
discovery+ is the streaming destination for TNT Sports in the UK. discovery+ will present many of the world’s most celebrated sports events together with great entertainment. Customers who have access to the BT Sport App should follow a simple discovery+ authentication process and can then download the discovery+ app which will give them access to TNT Sports, Eurosport and original entertainment.
*£29.99 price previously charged for the BT Sport Monthly Pass by the BT and WBD Joint Venture. Pricing for TNT Sports for subscribers who contract via a platform such as BT, EE, Sky or Virgin Media will be determined by the relevant provider.
