Inside the NBA is getting a bigger regular season role on ESPN and ABC. The TNT Sports-produced show will make 25 appearances during the 2026-27 season compared to the 20 announced at the beginning of last season.
What We Know: Ernie Johnson returns as host alongside Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith. The 25 dates mark a jump from the 20 regular season windows ESPN announced last season. Additionally, coverage opens October 21-22 and runs weekly through the season’s first four weeks. Meanwhile, NBA Tip-Off pregame coverage starts one hour before ESPN tipoffs and 30 minutes before ABC games.
What’s At Stake: ESPN has not stated officially that this will be the last year of the current makeup of the program. TNT Sports has also not officially confirmed either. Analyst Charles Barkley has said on multiple occasions that this will be the final year for both himself and Ernie Johnson on the program. If true, it will be interesting to see how the show is comprised if it continues.
What Remains Unclear: ESPN has not released the show’s postseason schedule yet. Instead, the network will announce those plans, including the conference finals and NBA Finals, later in the season. Notably, the new slate does not list ABC’s NBA Sunday Showcase, which Inside the NBA preceded sometimes last season.
What It Means: Ultimately, ESPN is leaning harder on its most popular studio asset in year two. Moreover, the show now anchors opening week, Christmas Day and seven NBA Saturday Primetime windows on ABC. As a result, Inside the NBA looks less like a guest and more like an ESPN fixture. Meanwhile, NBA Countdown and NBA Today, both hosted by Malika Andrews, remain part of the lineup.
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