The 2026-2027 season will mark the second campaign for the legendary studio show Inside the NBA as part as ESPN’s coverage of the association.
Last season marked the debut of one of the most unique broadcast deals in sports media history. After TNT Sports lost NBA rights for the first time in decades, the future of arguably the greatest studio show in sports television was up in the air. However, ESPN and TNT agreed to a licensing deal to let Inside the NBA continue as the main studio show for the worldwide leader in sports.
Not only did it keep Inside running, it also greatly improved ESPN’s NBA studio coverage for its biggest games, something that had vexed the network for years.
If there was one adjustment for NBA fans, though, it was not seeing Inside the NBA each and every week. Given the changes in the national television deals and its infrequent airing (especially during the early parts of the season), it was hard to tell when and where fans could catch the iconic program.
For the 2026-2027 season, ESPN is addressing that somewhat. Inside the NBA is greatly increasing its early-season schedule up to six total shows from Opening Night until Christmas Day. Last season, Inside the NBA was off from November 12 through December 25. The show kicks into high gear from Christmas through early march, but then takes a month break while Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith work the NCAA Tournament for TNT and CBS.
Here’s the full rundown for the regular season this year. In total, Inside the NBA is up from 20 episodes last year to 25 for this year’s season.
| Date | Where to watch | Game franchise |
| Wed, Oct. 21 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader/NBA Tip-Off |
| Thu, Oct. 22 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader/NBA Tip-Off |
| Wed, Oct. 28 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Nov. 4 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Nov. 11 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Nov. 25 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN Thanksgiving Eve tripleheader |
| Sat, Dec. 12 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Fri, Dec. 25 | ESPN/ABC | NBA Christmas Day presented by State Farm |
| Wed, Jan. 6 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Fri, Jan. 8 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Sat, Jan. 30 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC/NBA Rivals Week quadrupleheader |
| Sat, Feb. 6 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Fri, Feb. 12 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 13 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Wed, Feb. 17 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Fri, Feb. 26 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Sat, Feb. 27 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Fri, Mar. 5 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Sat, Mar. 6 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Sat, Mar. 13 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Sun, Apr. 11 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader/NBA regular season finale |
It’s great for fans that they will get to see more of Inside the NBA throughout the regular season and hopefully it helps the show gain a little bit more rythym. There were times throughout last year where the show didn’t quite have the same je ne sais quoi as in years past. But hopefully in its second year on ESPN and with fans more attune to the new setup, some of the iconic vibes return this year.
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