Inside the NBA

Postgame show for NBA on TNT broadcasts

Inside the NBA

Presented by| Ernie Johnson Jr.
Starring|

* Shaquille O'Neal
* Kenny Smith
* Charles Barkley

Country of origin| United States
Production
Running time| 30–60 minutes
Original release
Network|

* TNT (1989–2025)
* TruTV (2023–2025) (simulcasts)
* NBA TV (2003–2025)

Release| November 4, 1989 (1989-11-04) –
May 31, 2025 (2025-05-31)
Network|

* ESPN
* ABC

Release| October 2025 (2025-10)

Inside the NBA, branded for sponsorship purposes as Inside the NBA presented by Kia, is the halftime and postgame studio show that aired for NBA on TNT broadcasts from 1989 to 2025. The show has been hosted since 1990 by Ernie Johnson, joined on set by three analysts: Kenny Smith (since 1998), Charles Barkley (since 2000), and Shaquille O'Neal (since 2011). Notable former analysts have included Magic Johnson (2003–2007), Reggie Miller (2008–2011), and Chris Webber (2008–2011).

Since the early 2000s, the show has consistently been rated as among the best sports analysis shows on American television, and over its history has won nineteen Sports Emmy Awards. Starting in the 2025–26 season, the show will air on ESPN and ABC, as part of a sub-licensing agreement between parent companies the Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery, with the program being produced by Warner Bros. Television Studios under the TNT Sports brand.

## History

[edit]

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Inside the NBA debuted after TNT acquired the rights to broadcast NBA games during the 1989–90 season. In its first season, there were no permanent hosts or analysts. Craig Sager, Hannah Storm, Vince Cellini, Tim Brando and Fred Hickman shared hosting duties at various points of the season. In the following season, Ernie Johnson Jr., formerly a sideline reporter, took over as the show's full-time host, a role he retains to this day.

Initially, Inside the NBA focused on recaps of the day's games. Occasionally, Johnson invited a former or current NBA player or coach to sit in as a guest analyst. Kenny Smith joined Johnson full-time in 1998.

Newly-retired former NBA All-Star Charles Barkley joined TNT in 2000 and became notorious for his bold, and at times controversial, statements on the air.

In late 2002, Barkley told Kenny Smith that he would "kiss [his] ass" if Houston Rockets then-rookie Yao Ming scored 19 points in a game,[1] which was followed by Yao doing exactly that later that week. As a result, on Listen Up! With Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson that Thursday, Barkley kissed the rear end of a donkey that Smith brought into the studio. In 2002, a controversial Sports Illustrated cover, in which Barkley was portrayed in chains (as a slave),[2] led to a debate between Smith and Barkley about the merits of the cover.[3]

During the 2000s, TNT added a third analyst alongside Smith and Barkley. Hall of Famer Magic Johnson served as the third analyst between 2003 and 2007, and Reggie Miller and Chris Webber split the role between 2008 and 2011.

Before the 2011–12 season, TNT hired Shaquille O'Neal as a studio analyst. O'Neal's addition led Inside the NBA to add the Shaqtin' a Fool segment, featuring bloopers from around the league.

During the 2020, 2021, and 2024 playoffs, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green made occasional appearances on Inside the NBA. In 2022, Green was added to TNT's analyst roster, and would contribute occasionally on the show while still an active player.

The popularity of the program has led the NBA to air reruns of the show (as well as reruns of other TNT NBA studio programs, NBA Tip-Off, the American Express Halftime Report and Game Break) on the TNT Overtime on NBA.com. Analysts from the show, with the notable exception of Barkley, have been featured in the popular NBA 2K video game series beginning with NBA 2K15. Beginning in 2011, the team has also covered the NCAA men's basketball tournament as CBS began partnering with Turner for NCAA March Madness.

During the 2021–22 season, Inside the NBA aired after TNT Tuesday games during the NFL regular season and on Thursday nights once football season ends. TNT moved its marquee games to Tuesday in the fall and early winter in order to avoid competition with Thursday Night Football. The postgame shows after TNT Tuesday games, beginning in January, were rebranded as the NBA on TNT Postgame Show, with Adam Lefkoe as host and analysts O'Neal, Candace Parker and Dwyane Wade.

Wade decided not to return to NBA on TNT coverage for the 2022–23 season, choosing to focus on other business interests.[4] Jamal Crawford replaced Wade as an analyst on NBA on TNT Tuesdays.[5]

Prior to the 2022–23 season, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports announced contract renewals for all four of the main Inside the NBA panelists, including a 10-year extension for Barkley that he called "a life-altering deal".[6]

On July 24, 2024, the NBA announced new 11-year broadcasting agreements with ABC/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video.[7][8][9][10] TNT parent company Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) attempted to use its backend rights to match the offer made by Amazon, but it was rejected on the basis that WBD did not match the terms offered by Amazon.[11][12] On July 26, WBD filed its lawsuit against the league in New York state court, seeking to delay the NBA's new 2025 media deals from taking effect and to rule that TNT's offer matched Amazon's deal.[13] Both parties reached a settlement on November 18, allowing WBD to continue operating NBA's digital properties. WBD also entered into a sublicensing agreement with The Walt Disney Company to broadcast Inside the NBA on ESPN and ABC beginning in the 2025–26 season, with the program continuing to be produced by Warner Bros. Television Studios, doing business as TNT Sports, with its existing personalities.[14][15][16][17]

The final edition of Inside the NBA on TNT was broadcast on May 31, 2025, following Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.[18] During the final sign-off, Johnson said:

> If I had written the script, the NBA and TNT would be together forever. It’s not going to happen, but while I was disappointed, I was sad, I was not bitter. We know how business works. Gratitude is the operative word for me. [ ... ] So thank you, we have been honored to do this. [ ... ] But I'm proud to say for the last time, thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT.[19][20]

O'Neal and Smith dropped f-bombs during their TNT sign-off, with O'Neal saying:

> We're a family. I’m glad we're sticking together. And like I said, even though the name changes, the engine is still the same. And to that new network we're coming to, we not coming to eff around. Since this is the last show, I’m going to say it—we not coming to fuck around.[21]

## Recurring segments

[edit]

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"Shaqtin' a Fool" is a blooper segment started by O'Neal when he joined the show in 2012 that has become popular since. The segment uses CGI to highlight on-court blunders and mistakes from games around the league. Frequent nominees include JaVale McGee, Kendrick Perkins, Nick Young, Otto Porter, Brandon Knight and Jordan Poole, although even All-Stars like LeBron James, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Andre Drummond and Russell Westbrook have been featured.

"Area 21" was a segment hosted by Kevin Garnett, who joined the show following his retirement before the 2016–17 season. Noted for being more informal and by the presence of a "cuss button" for when Garnett or a guest wants to swear, which has sometimes been left unused.

"EJ's Neat-O Stat of the Night" is the traditional ending segment, sometimes noted for its lack of continued sponsorship ("Presented by NO ONE – Unsullied by sponsorship since 1989"), although Dave & Buster's, Taco Bell, Jim Beam, CarMax, JBL, HP, and EA Sports have sponsored it in the past. It can sometimes feature interesting or humorous stats, but the segment is sometimes used for a comedy sketch. Malika Andrews borrowed the name while appearing on Tip-Off part of the Inside collaboration with NBA Countdown during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals and received Johnson's blessing to use the name.[22]

"Who He Play For?" is a start-of-season customary game where Barkley is challenged to name the new teams of a number of NBA journeymen who, perhaps (un)notably, switched teams in the offseason. Stephen A. Smith also played it while appearing on the show as part of the Inside collaboration with NBA Countdown during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals.[23]

"Audio Toons" are old conversations and past events, animated by Cartoon Network.

"Players Only" was the name given to the Monday edition between 2017 and 2019, reserved for players-turned-analysts such as Webber, O'Neal, Garnett, Isiah Thomas, Chris Bosh and Baron Davis. WNBA players such as Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker would sit in as analysts for these broadcasts.

"Gone Fishin" is a segment aired whenever a team is knocked out of the playoffs (or a team failed to make the playoffs), and is usually accompanied by doctored photos of players on the team, and notable figures from the team's home city, on fishing boats with analyst Kenny Smith. It has its roots in the 1990s; when the Suns had a chance to eliminate a team, their gorilla mascot would hold a fishing pole to indicate the opponents would be "gone fishin'".[citation needed] The catchphrase has its own page on NBA.com[24] and has also become a metaphor for being eliminated from the playoffs. MLB on TBS uses a similar phrase for when a team gets knocked out of the postseason, called "Gone Huntin", as most North American hunting seasons occur in mid-to-late fall.[25] The NHL on TNT uses a similar phrase for when a team gets knocked out of the postseason, called "Gone Golfin", as most golfing in North America occurs in early-to-late summer.

## Notable moments

[edit]

Some segments of Inside have become famous and are sometimes referenced in callbacks on other episodes, or in other media.

### Barkley's race with Dick Bavetta

[edit]

While filling in for an injured Steve Kerr on a Los Angeles Lakers-Sacramento Kings broadcast,[26] Charles Barkley made disparaging comments about the age of referee Dick Bavetta.[27] The conversation between Barkley and play-by-play man Marv Albert eventually led him to comment that he could outrun Bavetta, and any other man of his age (Bavetta was 67 at the time).

This led Johnson and Smith to note that Bavetta, a physically fit referee whose job required him to run up and down the court on a nightly basis, would likely beat Barkley (who had become woefully out of shape compared to his playing career) in a race. Bavetta challenged Barkley to a footrace, which was then scheduled for the upcoming 2007 All-Star Weekend.

The race was heavily hyped on the Internet, receiving some mainstream attention as well. Several NBA players weighed in with predictions, and the overwhelming majority picked Bavetta to win the race.[28][29]

Despite being the underdog, Barkley won the race by a comfortable margin. Both men ended up falling after the race; Bavetta dove for the finish line, and Barkley stumbled backwards and fell upon victory. With the race decided, the two exchanged a friendly hug and kiss. The race raised $50,000 for charity, and All-Star Saturday Night on TNT drew its highest number of television households in its twenty-two-year history.[30]

### Barkley's beef with Oakland

[edit]

During the 2007 NBA Playoffs, following the Golden State Warriors' upset of the Dallas Mavericks, Barkley made some degrading comments about Oakland, California, saying things such as "it makes me mad, mad that they're in Golden State and not LA" and "it's not a city". In response, the scoreboard at the Oracle Arena began showing a graphic of the Warriors' mascot throwing a pie at Barkley.

Oakland native and NBA legend Gary Payton, in his trademark competitive, trash-talking style, went around Oakland with a video camera to rebuke some of Barkley's comments and get some of the locals' opinions on Barkley and his comments, with Payton providing some of his own comments about "Sir Charles" and providing quips such as "It ain't no thrift store, it's Oakland". The humorous segment, which also included embarrassing vintage coverage of Barkley being dunked on in a game against Golden State, aired during Inside the NBA's playoff coverage of the series between the Warriors and the Utah Jazz. The clip culminated with a shot of Payton standing in front of the San Francisco Bay saying "How do you feel about my city now, Chuck? ... Now, come see me, in person, here. I've got a surprise for you, too, a lot of Krispy Kreme donuts."[31] The humorous controversy was subsequently put to rest.

### Barkley's beef with San Antonio

[edit]

A frequent joke that Barkley has used throughout his run on the show involves a myriad of comments about the city of San Antonio.

The most notable comment Barkley's made is about the women in San Antonio and how they are overweight. His typical comment is about the "big-ass/big-ol' women down there," how he looks skinny compared to them, and how the women are probably eating too many churros. Smith will sometimes set up the joke by asking Barkley what he thinks about the women in San Antonio. In a notable response to his comments during the 2014 Western Conference Finals, several women, including Tim Duncan's partner Vanessa Macias, wore shirts mocking Barkley. Barkley responded by saying that they must have flown them in from Dallas or Houston. In 2022, Barkley gave a fake apology on the show to the city of San Antonio after finally having churros and seeing what the excitement was about.

Barkley has also joked about the San Antonio River Walk, a key pedestrian walkway and park that runs through the downtown area. Barkley mocks it as a "dirty little creek," saying it can't be a river since there are no fish in it.

Barkley also comments on the heat in San Antonio. During coverage of the 2014 NBA Finals on Gametime on NBA TV, when asked why he wasn't there for Game 1 of the series, he replied that it was simply too hot. He then brought out a bucket that had a piece of paper taped to it saying "San Antonio Air Conditioning Fund".

### Smith's solidarity with the players' boycott in 2020

[edit]

In response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted Game 5 of their series against the Orlando Magic on August 26.[32] Later that day, the NBA announced that in light of the Bucks' decision, all games for the day were postponed. In support for the players boycott, Kenny Smith walked out of the set while the show was aired live. “I think the biggest thing now — as a Black man and a former player — I think it’s best for me to not be here tonight,” Smith said.[33]

### ESPN In-Season Tournament collaboration

[edit]

Ahead of the knockout stage of the 2023 (inaugural) NBA In-Season Tournament, it was announced that TNT and ESPN would collaborate on coverage involving both their commentary and their pregame and postgame coverage. As part of this, the Inside cast collaborated with their professional counterparts from NBA Countdown – Malika Andrews, Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Bob Myers and Adrian Wojnarowski – involving Johnson, Kenny Smith, Barkley and O'Neal appearing on Countdown while Andrews, Stephen A. Smith, Wilbon and Myers also appeared on Tip-Off and Stephen A. Smith and Wilbon appeared on Inside.[34][35] This would end up becoming the prequel to the handling of Inside the NBA when TNT’s contract ends after the 2024-25 season.

Countdown cast members featured in a number of traditional Inside recurring segments as a result:

* Andrews borrowing Johnson's Neat-O Stat of the Night on Tip-Off and receiving Johnson's blessing to use the name.[22]
* A special edition of Shaqtin' a Fool themed around Stephen A. Smith and Wilbon.[36]
* Stephen A. Smith playing Who He Play For?"[23]

## Reception

[edit]

Inside, since Barkley joined the show during the 2000–01 season, has become a particularly popular show due to its combination of league highlights with unscripted banter among the panelists. Bill Simmons of ESPN.com wrote in May 2002, when Johnson, Smith, and Barkley made up the core panel, that Inside was "the greatest TV studio show I've seen." Simmons observed, "A postgame show that occasionally improves on the ratings from the actual game? How rare is that?"[37] In 2014, the New York Times described Inside as "one of the most freewheeling, unpredictable and funny talk shows on television." The "On Comedy" columnist described O'Neal as the "weak link" but generally praised the interplay between the panelists in ways that often veer far from discussions of basketball games.[38]

Commentators have praised Inside the NBA for its panelists' willingness to have serious conversations when circumstances demand them. The panel's comments about the 2016 presidential election, particularly Johnson's, were praised in national media.[39][40] Kenny Smith's solidarity with social justice protests in 2020 was described as "impactful" by a columnist for Sportscasting.[41] "The outpouring of well wishes for Johnson and his family has shown that there may not be a more beloved person in sports media," wrote Jimmy Traina in Sports Illustrated in an article about the panel's public support for Johnson on Inside after his son Michael died.[42] Johnson used his Twitter account and his appearance on Inside the following week to gratefully acknowledge the support he received from his coworkers and from the public.[43]

### Awards

[edit]

As of 2024, the show has won nineteen Sports Emmy Awards. Six times for the best daily show (2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014), six times for the best weekly show (2012, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), five times for the best weekly show – limited run : playoffs (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), one for the best decoration and art visuals (2016) and one for the best social TV experience (2019). Johnson has also won eight awards as a studio host (2001, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025) and Barkley has won six as a studio analyst (2011, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, 2025).

Inside was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in October 2016, becoming the 12th program to receive the honor and the third sports show after SportsCenter and Monday Night Football.[44] They were also honoree by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, becoming the first NBA telecast to win the Curt Gowdy Media Award.

## Related shows

[edit]

Outside the NBA is a show on Facebook Watch that debuted on October 20, 2017. The same panel as on Inside talks about subjects outside of the NBA.[45]

TNT aired The Inside Story, a four-part miniseries documenting Inside the NBA, during the NBA All-Star Break in March 2021. Each episode focused on one core panelist.[46] The miniseries was nominated for a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary Series at the 43rd Sports Emmy Awards.[47]

The Steam Room is a video podcast hosted on YouTube starring Johnson and Barkley, named after a running joke from Inside. The podcast primarily consists of interviews and interactions with celebrities that are friends of Barkley and Johnson, sports media personalities, former NBA legends, comedians, and staff members.[48]

## Personalities

[edit]

The Inside the NBA crew on location at San Francisco's Pier 43 for the NBA season opening day in late October 2015. From left to right: O'Neal, Johnson, Smith, and Barkley.

### Current

[edit]

#### Inside the NBA

[edit]

* Ernie Johnson – lead studio host
* Adam Lefkoe – fill-in host
* Shaquille O'Neal – analyst and Shaqtin' a Fool Presenter
* Kenny Smith – analyst
* Charles Barkley – analyst
* Draymond Green – fill-in analyst
* Candace Parker – fill-in analyst
* Grant Hill – fill-in analyst
* Vince Carter – fill-in analyst
* Jalen Rose – fill in analyst

### Former

[edit]

* Marc Fein – fill-in studio host
* Kevin Frazier – fill-in studio host
* Magic Johnson – analyst
* Jim Huber – contributor
* Bob Lorenz – fill in host
* Kevin McHale – analyst
* Gary Payton – analyst
* Steve Kerr – analyst
* Reggie Theus – analyst
* Peter Vecsey – analyst
* Cheryl Miller – interviewer
* David Aldridge – contributor
* Casey Stern – fill-in host
* Dwyane Wade – analyst
* Chris Webber – analyst
* Jamal Crawford – analyst

#### NBA on TNT Tuesday

[edit]

* Adam Lefkoe – Host
* Shaquille O'Neal – analyst
* Candace Parker – analyst
* Vince Carter – analyst

## Theme music

[edit]

The current theme song, composed by former guitarist of the progressive rock band Yes, Trevor Rabin, has been used since the 2002–2003 season.[49]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Homonym saves Barkley from kissing Smith's backside". ESPN. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
2. ^ "Gallery :: Hall of Shame :: siunchained". Archived from the original on February 2, 2007. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
3. ^ "Barkley Picture Gives S.I. Editor an Opening Foul". The New York Observer. March 18, 2002.
4. ^ "Dwyane Wade leaves TNT". HoopsHype. September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
5. ^ Stinar, Ben (September 28, 2022). "3x 6th Man of The Year Jamal Crawford Has A New Job". Fastbreak on FanNation. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
6. ^ Reedy, Joe (October 17, 2022). "Barkley, 'Inside the NBA' crew agree to contract extensions". ABC News. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
7. ^ "NBA signs new 11-year media agreements with the Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video through 2035-36 season". nba.com (Press release). July 24, 2024.
8. ^ "The Walt Disney Company and ESPN Reach Landmark 11-Year Media Rights Extension with the National Basketball Association and the Women's National Basketball Association". ESPN Press Room (Press release). July 24, 2024.
9. ^ "THE NBA AND WNBA RETURN TO NBCUNIVERSAL WITH 11-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR REGULAR SEASON AND PLAYOFF BASKETBALL ON NBC, PEACOCK, USA NETWORK, SKY SPORTS, AND TELEMUNDO". NBC Sports (Press release). July 24, 2024.
10. ^ "Amazon Prime Video and the NBA Announce Landmark 11-Year Global Media Rights Agreement Beginning in 2025". Amazon MGM Studios (Press release). July 24, 2024.
11. ^ McKeone, Liam (July 24, 2024). "NBA Goes Forth With Amazon Rights Deal, Says TNT Failed to Match Offer". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
12. ^ Battaglio, Stephen (July 24, 2024). "Warner Bros. Discovery vows to 'take appropriate action' after NBA rejects offer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
13. ^ Reedy, Joe (July 26, 2024). "Warner Bros. Discovery sues NBA for not accepting its matching offer". Associated Press.
14. ^ "Warner Bros. Discovery and the National Basketball Association Reach Agreement to Expand Long-Standing Partnership". Warner Bros. Discovery (Press release). November 18, 2024.
15. ^ "ESPN and TNT Sports Reach Agreement for Iconic Inside the NBA to be Exclusively Distributed on ESPN and ABC Platforms Beginning with 2025-26 NBA Regular Season". ESPN Press Room (Press release). November 18, 2024.
16. ^ Flint, Joe (November 16, 2024). "Warner Bros. Discovery, NBA Settle Legal Battle Over TV Rights". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
17. ^ Marchand, Andrew; West, Jenna (November 16, 2024). "'Inside the NBA' to continue on ABC and ESPN as part of TNT-NBA settlement: Sources". The Athletic. New York Times.
18. ^ "'Inside the NBA' bids emotional farewell to NBA on TNT era | NBA.com". NBA. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
19. ^ NBA on TNT [@NBAonTNT] (June 1, 2025). ""Thanks for watching us. It's been the NBA on TNT."" (Tweet). Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Twitter.
20. ^ Jackson, James; Deitsch, Richard (June 1, 2025). "'Inside the NBA' on TNT ends with Eastern Conference finals, but its legacy lives on". The New York Times. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
21. ^ Dixon, Michael (June 1, 2025). "Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith drop f-bombs in final TNT sign-off". Awful Announcing. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
22. ^ a b Inside the NBA; NBA Countdown (December 7, 2023). "Stephen A. Smith Joins "Inside the NBA" For In-Season Tournament". YouTube. Bleacher Report (originally broadcast by TNT). Retrieved December 16, 2023.
23. ^ a b Inside the NBA (December 8, 2023). "Stephen A. Smith Joins For A Special Edition Of "Who He Play For?" (EJ's Neato Stat)". YouTube. Turner Network Television. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
24. ^ "Gone Fishin' with Kenny Smith in 2006". NBA. Archived from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
25. ^ Turner Sports. "TBS MLB Studio crew has Gone Huntin'!". Vimeo. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
26. ^ "Sports Media Watch: Barkley in the booth". Sports Media Watch. January 3, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
27. ^ Lund, Spencer (February 17, 2017). "Here's How The Legendary Charles Barkley-Dick Bavetta Footrace Went Down". Complex. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
28. ^ "Chauncey weighs in on Barkley-Bavetta race". Retrieved January 10, 2018.
29. ^ "Bet on Bavetta". Retrieved January 10, 2018.
30. ^ "TNT's Coverage of the 2007 NBA All-Star Game Delivers More than 6.8 Million Viewers". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
31. ^ Gary Payton Wearing Fabricali on YouTube
32. ^ Brian Mahoney and Tim Reynolds. "NBA playoff games called off amid player protests". NBA.com. Associated Press. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
33. ^ "Kenny Smith walks off 'NBA on TNT' set in solidarity with player strike". sports.yahoo.com. August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
34. ^ "TNT Sports to Showcase Inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament Knockout Rounds with Three Nights of Coverage Next Week Across TNT, truTV & Max". Warner Bros. Discovery (Press release). November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
35. ^ "ESPN, TNT Collaborate on Game and Studio Coverage for Inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals December 7". ESPN Press Room (Press release). November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
36. ^ Inside the NBA (December 8, 2023). "Your Shaqtin' Winner this Week: Stephen A. Smith (Shaqtin' A Fool)". YouTube. Turner Network Television. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
37. ^ Simmons, Bill (May 13, 2002). "TNT combo is pure dynamite". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
38. ^ Zinoman, Jason (November 26, 2014). "Who's Winning? The Night's Quickest Wit". The New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
39. ^ Gaither, Steven J. (November 10, 2016). "Charles Barkley in 'shock,' Ernie Johnson praying over Donald Trump's election". The Sporting News. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
40. ^ Deitsch, Richard (November 13, 2016). "Ernie Johnson talks Trump comments that went viral". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
41. ^ Wysong, David (June 21, 2021). "Kenny 'The Jet' Smith Enjoys 'Inside the NBA' for a Reason Much More Important Than 'Running Into Christmas Trees' and 'Racing to the Big Board'". Sportscasting. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
42. ^ Traina, Jimmy (November 3, 2021). "'Inside the NBA' Crew Offers Moving Tribute to Ernie Johnson on Death of His Son". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
43. ^ "NBA On TNT Opens With Tribute To Ernie Johnson's Son Michael | Barrett Media". Barrett Sports Media. November 3, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
44. ^ EJ's Neat-o Stat of the Night 5/11/2016 – Special Surprise NBA on TNT on YouTube
45. ^ "Outside the NBA". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
46. ^ Casselberry, Ian (March 3, 2021). "TNT's 'The Inside Story' documentary an entertaining, candid chronicle of Inside the NBA's evolution TNT's 'The Inside Story' documentary an entertaining, candid chronicle of Inside the NBA's evolution". Awful Announcing. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
47. ^ "Nominations announced for Sports Emmy Awards 2022 – Did your favourite show or movie make the cut?". The Bridge. April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
48. ^ NBA on TNT. "Youtube, The Steam Room". YouTube.
49. ^ Deb, Sopan (June 25, 2021). "He Created the Sports Theme Song You Didn't Know You Knew". New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2021.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Aldridge, David (July 19, 2024). "My front row seat on 'Inside the NBA,' the greatest studio show in sports TV history". The Athletic. Retrieved July 19, 2024.

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* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

NBA Cup|

* 2023
* 2024

NBA Awards|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

Lore|

* Christmas Day
* NBA outdoor games
* Disputed foul against Scottie Pippen
* "13 points in 35 seconds"
* First-ever Game 7 buzzer beater

* v
* t
* e

TNT Sports

Current sports and
sports entertainment programs|

* MLB on TBS (commentators)
* NHL on TNT
* College Basketball on TNT Sports
* March Madness (commentators)
* NBA HBCU Classic
* Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic
* Hall of Fame Series
* Big East Conference
* Big 12 Conference
* French Open
* The Match
* All Elite Wrestling
* Dynamite
* Collision
* Rampage
* Battle of the Belts
* All Access
* Overdrive
* NASCAR on TNT
* Soccer on TNT Sports
* United States men's national soccer team
* United States women's national soccer team
* SheBelieves Cup
* 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Former sports programs|

* TNT Sunday Night Football
* College Football on TBS
* Alliance of American Football
* Braves on Peachtree TV
* Braves TBS Baseball
* NBA on TBS
* NBA on TNT (commentators)
* College Beach Volleyball
* Friday Night Knockout
* ONE on TNT
* Power Slap: Road to the Title
* ELeague
* 1991 Pan American Games
* Tennis on TNT
* Wimbledon
* Golf on TNT
* The Open Championship
* PGA Championship
* PGA Grand Slam of Golf
* Soccer on Turner Sports
* UEFA Champions League
* UEFA Europa League
* UEFA Super Cup
* Women's United Soccer Association
* 1990 FIFA World Cup
* Atlanta Chiefs
* TNT Olympic Broadcasts
* 1992 Winter Olympics
* 1994
* 1998

Former sports entertainment
(professional wrestling) programs|

* Georgia Championship Wrestling
* World Wrestling Federation
* Championship Wrestling from Georgia
* Mid-South Wrestling
* Jim Crockett Promotions
* World Championship Wrestling
* Nitro
* Thunder
* Clash of the Champions
* Saturday Night
* WorldWide
* Power Hour
* Main Event
* Pro
* Prime
* All Nighter
* Best of
* Classics

Television channels|

* TNT
* TBS
* TruTV
* Turner South
* Peachtree TV

Streaming affiliations|

* HBO Max
* Discovery+

U.S. properties|

* Bleacher Report
* House of Highlights
* NBA TV
* MLB Network (16.67%)
* Golf Digest

International properties|

* EMEA
* TNT Sports (United Kingdom)
* TNT Sports 1
* TNT Sports 2
* TNT Sports 3
* TNT Sports 4
* Eurosport
* Americas
* TNT Sports (Argentina)
* TNT Sports (Brazil)
* TNT Sports (Chile)
* TNT Sports Premium
* TNT Sports (Mexico)

Defunct or sold properties|

* Venu Sports (33.33%)

Executives|

* Luis Silberwasser (U.S. chairman and CEO)
* Andrew Georgiou (International president)

See also|

* United States sports broadcasting lists
* Turner Broadcasting System (Warner Bros. Discovery)

* v
* t
* e

NBA on television

Broadcast partners|

* ABC
* CBS
* NBC

| Defunct networks|

* DuMont
* SNI

|

Cable/Streaming partners|

* ESPN/ESPN+
* TBS
* TNT/Max
* USA
* Peacock
* Prime Video

NBA owned & operated
entities|

* NBA Entertainment
* NBA League Pass
* NBA TV

Television programs|

| Pre-game|

* NBA Countdown
* NBA Shootaround
* NBA Showtime

|

Post-game|

* Inside the NBA
* Shaqtin' a Fool

* NBA TV Center Court
* TNT Tuesday/Thursday
* ESPN NBA Wednesday/Friday/Sunday
* ABC NBA Saturday Primetime/Sunday Showcase
* NBC Sunday Night Basketball

News and highlights
programs|

| ESPN|

* Grantland Basketball Hour
* The Jump
* NBA Coast to Coast
* NBA Today
* NBA Tonight
* Vintage NBA

|

NBA TV|

* Hardwood Classics
* NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad
* NBA Action
* NBA.com Fantasy Insider
* NBA Gametime Live
* NBA Inside Stuff
* The Starters

Broadcasters by event|

* List of NBA All-Star Game broadcasters
* List of NBA Finals broadcasters

Local broadcasters|

* List of current NBA broadcasters
* Historical NBA over-the-air television broadcasters

International
broadcasters|

* NBA Premium TV
* NBA TV Canada
* NBA TV Philippines

Commentators|

* ABC
* NBC
* TNT
* ESPN

Music|

* "Roundball Rock"

Miscellaneous|

* ABA broadcasters
* NBA Finals TV ratings

| Decade summaries|

* 1950s
* 1960s
* 1970s
* 1980s
* 1990s
* 2000s
* 2010s
* 2020s

|

* v
* t
* e

Curt Gowdy Media Award

Electronic|

* 1990: Gowdy
* 1991: Glickman
* 1992: Hearn
* 1993: Most
* 1994: Ledford
* 1995: Enberg
* 1996: Packer
* 1997: Albert
* 1998: Vitale
* 1999: Costas
* 2000: Brown
* 2001: Stockton
* 2002: Nantz
* 2003: Hundley
* 2004: Falkenstien
* 2005: Campbell
* 2006: Raftery
* 2007: McCoy
* 2008: Wolff
* 2009: Collins
* 2010: Tait
* 2011: Durham
* 2012: Schonely
* 2013: Doucette
* 2014: Andariese
* 2015: Durham
* 2016: Bilas
* 2017: Sager
* 2018: Burke
* 2019: Lawler
* 2020: Breen
* 2021: Gorman
* 2022: Frazier
* 2023: Rowe
* 2024: Antonelli

Print|

* 1990: Herbert
* 1991: Dorr
* 1992: Goldaper
* 1993: Lewin
* 1994: Koppett
* 1995: Hammel
* 1996: Hentzen
* 1997: Ryan
* 1998: Donald & Weiss
* 1999: Barrier
* 2000: Kindred
* 2001: Kirkpatrick
* 2002: O'Connell
* 2003: Hartman
* 2004: Jasner
* 2005: McCallum
* 2006: Heisler
* 2007: Moran
* 2008: DuPree
* 2009: Vecsey
* 2010: MacMullan
* 2011: Wolff
* 2012: Smith
* 2013: Feinstein
* 2014: Gilmartin
* 2015: Clarkson
* 2016: Aldridge
* 2017: Araton
* 2018: Bernstein
* 2019: Stein
* 2020: Wilbon
* 2021: Greenberg
* 2022: Voepel
* 2023: Spears
* 2024: Adande

Transformative|

* 2020: Inside the NBA
* 2022: Ebersol
* 2023: CBS Sports
* 2024: NBA Inside Stuff and Slam

Insight|

* 2020: Gray
* 2021: Kalinsky

* v
* t
* e

Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Studio Show

Studio Show
(1988–2000, retired)|

* NFL GameDay (1988)
* The NFL Today (1989)
* SportsCenter (1990)
* NFL GameDay / NFL Live (1991)
* The NFL Today (1992)
* The NFL Today (1993)
* NFL GameDay (1994)
* NFL GameDay / Fox NFL Sunday (1995)
* SportsCenter (1996)
* Fox NFL Sunday (1997)
* Fox NFL Sunday (1998)
* MLB pregame show on Fox (1999)
* Fox NFL Sunday (2000)

Studio Show – Weekly
(2001–present)|

* Sunday NFL Countdown (2001)
* Inside the NFL (2002)
* Sunday NFL Countdown (2003)
* Inside the NFL (2004)
* Inside the NFL (2005)
* Sunday NFL Countdown (2006)
* College GameDay (2007)
* Inside the NFL (2008)
* College GameDay (2009)
* College GameDay (2010)
* Inside the NBA (2011)
* Inside the NFL (2012)
* College GameDay / Inside the NBA (2013)
* College GameDay (2014)
* College GameDay (2015)
* College GameDay (2016)
* College GameDay (2017)
* Inside the NBA (2018)
* Inside the NBA (2019)
* Inside the NBA (2020)
* Inside the NBA on TNT (2021)

Studio Show – Daily
(2001–present)|

* Inside the NBA (2001)
* Baseball Tonight (2002)
* SportsCenter (2003)
* SportsCenter (2004)
* Inside the NBA playoff shows (2005)
* Inside the NBA playoff shows (2006)
* Inside the NBA playoff shows (2007)
* Inside the NBA playoff shows (2008)
* Pardon the Interruption (2009)
* MLB Tonight (2010)
* MLB Tonight (2011)
* MLB Tonight (2012)
* Inside the NBA playoff shows (2013)
* MLB Tonight (2014)
* MLB Tonight (2015)
* Pardon the Interruption (2016)
* MLB Tonight (2017)
* Pardon the Interruption (2018)
* MLB Tonight (2019)
* SportsCenter (2020)
* Good Morning Football (2021)

Studio Show – Limited Run
(2016–present)|

* Major League Baseball on Fox \- 2016 playoffs (2016)
* Major League Baseball on Fox \- 2017 playoffs (2017)
* Inside the NBA playoff shows (2018)
* NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019)
* Inside the NBA playoff shows (2020)
* Inside the NBA playoff shows (2021)

* v
* t
* e

ABC programming (current and upcoming)

Primetime|

* America's Funniest Home Videos (since 1989)
* Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (since 1999)
* The Bachelor (since 2002)
* The Bachelorette (2003–2005; since 2008)
* Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2004–2012; since 2025)
* Grey's Anatomy (since 2005)
* Dancing with the Stars (2005–2021; since 2023)
* What Would You Do? (2008–2020; since 2024)
* Shark Tank (since 2009)
* The Great Christmas Light Fight (since 2013)
* Bachelor in Paradise (since 2014)
* Celebrity Family Feud (since 2015)
* The $100,000 Pyramid (since 2016)
* Match Game (2016–2021; since 2025)
* American Idol (since 2018)
* The Rookie (since 2018)
* Press Your Luck (since 2019)
* Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (since 2021)
* Abbott Elementary (since 2021)
* Judge Steve Harvey (since 2022)
* Claim to Fame (since 2022)
* Celebrity Jeopardy! (since 2022)
* Will Trent (since 2023)
* Jeopardy! Masters (since 2023)
* The Golden Bachelor (since 2023)
* Bad Romance: A Special Edition of 20/20 (since 2024)
* 9-1-1 (since 2024)
* High Potential (since 2024)
* The Golden Bachelorette (since 2024)
* Shifting Gears (since 2025)

Daytime|

* General Hospital (since 1963)
* The View (since 1997)

Late night|

* Jimmy Kimmel Live! (since 2003)

News|

* ABC World News Tonight (since 1953)
* Good Morning America (since 1975)
* 20/20 (since 1978)
* Nightline (since 1980)
* This Week (since 1981)
* Good Morning America First Look (since 1982)
* World News Now (since 1992)
* Good Morning America Weekend (1993–1999; since 2004)
* GMA3: What You Need to Know (since 2018)

Sports|

* College Football Countdown (since 1981)
* NBA on ABC (since 2002)
* WNBA on ABC (since 2003)
* College Football on ABC (since 2006)
* Saturday Night Football (since 2006)
* NFL on ABC (since 2016)
* Monday Night Countdown (since 2016)
* Monday Night Football (since 2020)
* Major League Baseball on ABC (since 2020)
* NHL on ABC (since 2021)

Upcoming|

* 9-1-1: Nashville (2025)
* Inside the NBA (2025)
* Scrubs (2009–2010; 2026)

See also
Former programming

* v
* t
* e

ESPN original programming

Scheduled shows|

* 30 for 30
* ESPN Bet Live
* College Football Live
* E:60
* First Take
* ESPN Major League Baseball
* NBA Today
* NBA on ESPN
* ABC
* Wednesday
* Friday
* Saturday
* Sunday
* NFL on ESPN
* ABC
* Monday Night Football
* Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli
* NHL on ESPN
* ABC
* Pardon the Interruption
* SportsCenter
* The Pat McAfee Show
* They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce
* Thursday Night Showcase
* WNBA on ESPN

Pregame and postgame|

* Baseball Tonight
* Big Monday
* College Football Final
* College GameDay Football
* College GameDay Basketball
* College Football Scoreboard
* ESPN College Football Saturday Primetime
* ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime
* ESPN Megacast
* Monday Night Baseball
* Monday Night Countdown
* NBA Countdown
* NFL Insiders
* NFL Live
* NFL Matchup
* NFL Primetime
* Saturday Primetime
* Sunday NFL Countdown
* Sunday Night Baseball
* Super Tuesday
* Wednesday Night Baseball
* Wednesday Night Hoops

Former programming|

* Arena Football League on ESPN
* Around the Horn
* AWA Championship Wrestling
* Beg, Borrow & Deal
* Bonds on Bonds
* Bound for Glory
* Boxing on ESPN
* The Bronx Is Burning
* Cheap Seats
* The Contender
* Cycling on ESPN
* Dream Job
* ESPN SpeedWorld
* ESPN Sunday Night Football
* Global Supercard Wrestling
* Highly Questionable
* IndyCar Series on ESPN
* I'd Do Anything
* Jim Rome Is Burning
* The Jump
* Knight School
* MISL on ESPN
* MLS on ESPN
* NASCAR Countdown
* NASCAR on ESPN
* NASL on ESPN
* Nine for IX
* Outside the Lines
* Playmakers
* Shaquille
* SpeedWeek
* SportsCentury
* SportsNation
* The Sports Reporters
* Stump the Schwab
* Tilt
* The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame...
* This Just In with Max Kellerman
* 2 Minute Drill
* Up Close
* USFL on ESPN
* World Cup Live

Upcoming|

* Inside the NBA (2025)

* List of programs broadcast by ESPN

Portals:

* Basketball
* Television

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