Mark Your Calendars: Inside The NBA Launches Bold New ESPN Era on October 22
It’s getting real. You will soon be able to watch Chuck and Crew on ESPN. The iconic and beloved studio show, Inside the NBA, announced its opening week lineup. The curtain will rise on this new era on Wednesday, October 22, with a pregame show airing from 6-7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN2.
The action continues Thursday, October 23, with another pregame special from 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Postgame coverage will immediately follow the doubleheaders on both nights, ensuring fans get the instant analysis and entertainment they’ve come to cherish.
Inside the NBA Historic Debut is the Result of a Complex Partnership with ESPN
Announced last November, the groundbreaking partnership, a result of complex negotiations between TNT Sports and ESPN, ensures that Inside the NBA will continue to appear on our screens. The familiar chemistry that has defined basketball television for decades will remain untouched, as the unparalleled basketball insight of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal stays intact. TNT Sports will continue producing the show from its legendary Atlanta studios, meaning the unfiltered commentary and hilarious banter that have made the show a phenomenon are here to stay.
The Inside the NBA transition marks a pivotal moment in sports media, born from a tense media rights dispute that nearly saw the show fade to black. When Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT’s parent company, lost its bid to retain NBA rights, the future of Inside the NBA was thrown into jeopardy. The settlement that followed not only rescued the show but also created an unprecedented collaboration between rival networks, all for the sake of the fans.
The Show is Summarised as “One of the Best”
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro didn’t mince words, calling the show “universally recognized as one of the best and most culturally impactful shows in sports.” It’s a fitting tribute to a program that has earned an astounding 21 Sports Emmy Awards and cultivated a legion of loyal followers.
The show will not be on every week early in the season. The show is reportedly scheduled to appear on 20 regular-season dates, including Christmas Day, before ramping up for the playoffs. This was a request from TNT Sports.
ESPN’s Opening Week Schedule
- Wednesday, October 22:
- Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks (7 p.m. ET)
- San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks (9:30 p.m. ET)
- Thursday, October 23:
- Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET)
