Warner Bros Discovery (WBD, Financial) and the NBA have reached an agreement to resolve their legal dispute over television broadcasting rights. This agreement allows Warner Bros to develop new NBA content for both the U.S. and international audiences, as well as secure international copyrights in certain regions, excluding Brazil and Mexico. The announcement of this settlement is expected shortly.
Although Warner Bros will lose the regular and playoff broadcasting rights on TNT after the current season, the settlement ensures access to substantial NBA content both domestically and internationally, allowing the NBA to avoid ongoing legal issues. The dispute began after the NBA signed a $11 billion agreement with Disney’s (DIS) ESPN, Comcast’s (CMCSA) NBCUniversal, and Amazon (AMZN) for an 11-year rights deal. Warner Bros had taken legal action, arguing that NBA games on Amazon Prime Video breached their agreement with TNT.
Under the settlement terms, Warner Bros Discovery's Bleacher Report and House of Highlights digital platforms will continue to access NBC content, and the company will collaborate with the NBA's digital operations. This portion of the deal is expected to bring approximately $350 million in revenue through services, promotions, programming, and marketing.
Additionally, Warner Bros Discovery has agreed with Disney to license TNT’s "Inside the NBA" program to ESPN and ABC starting next season. This show airs throughout the NBA season. In return, ESPN will sub-license Big 12 football and basketball games to Warner Bros Discovery for broadcast on TNT and its Max streaming platform.
