What Happened to NBA on TNT?
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What ever happened to NBA on TNT? I used to love watching those games!
The NBA and TNT
The NBA on TNT is a popular show that people have enjoyed for many years. The show features highlights, commentary, and analysis of the day’s NBA games. However, the show will not be airing on TNT for the foreseeable future. The NBA and TNT have decided to part ways.
The NBA and Turner Broadcasting System
In 1996, the NBA reached a landmark television agreement with Turner Broadcasting System. The partnership between the NBA and Turner Broadcasting System (TNT) was a game-changer for both the league and the network. TNT became the exclusive home of NBA games, including the playoffs and Finals, and basketball quickly became one of TNT’s most popular programs.
The partnership between the NBA and TNT has been extremely beneficial for both parties. The NBA has benefited from increased exposure on a major television network, while TNT has benefited from increased ratings and viewership. The partnership has also led to increased revenues for both the NBA and TNT.
However, recent years have seen a decline in viewership for NBA games on TNT. In 2017, ratings for NBA games on TNT declined by 10%. This decline is likely due to several factors, including competition from other networks (such as ESPN), declining interest in the sport of basketball, and cord-cutting (the act of cancelling cable or satellite TV service in favor of streaming services).
Despite the decline in viewership, the partnership between the NBA and TNT remains strong. Both parties continue to benefit from their relationship, and it is unlikely that this will change in the near future.
The NBA on TNT
The NBA on TNT is a rights holder of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and airs games from the league on the cable network TNT. Initially formed as a joint venture between Turner Broadcasting System and NBC in 1990, where TNT aired doubleheaders on Tuesday and Thursday nights during the NBA regular season, the partnership ended in 2002 after twelve seasons when NBC declined to renew its broadcasting contract with the NBA. TNT became an exclusive NBA broadcaster in 2003, televising games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as well as Thursday nights during the methamphetamine NBA TV contract period. In 2016–17, TNT will continue to air doubleheaders every Tuesday night during the first half of the regular season before transitioning to single games every Thursday night for the second half.
As part of its contract with the NBA, TNT airs one conference final game per year. Simulcast coverage of any given game on TNT is also provided on TBS and truTV if one or both of those sister channels are airing unique programming at any given time.
What happened to NBA on TNT?
NBA on TNT has been a staple of NBA fans for many years. It was a go-to place to watch live games, highlights, and analysis. However, in recent years, NBA on TNT has fallen off the radar. Many fans have been wondering what happened to NBA on TNT. Let’s take a look.
The ratings decline
NBA on TNT is a popular American television program that airs on the Turner Network Television (TNT) channel. The show features live game coverage of the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as pre-game and post-game commentary from a panel of sports analysts.
Unfortunately, NBA on TNT has seen a decline in ratings over the past year. One reason for this may be the overall decline in viewership of the NBA, which began during the 2019-2020 season. In addition, TNT’s live game coverage is often overshadowed by ESPN’s more comprehensive coverage of the league.
It is unclear what the future holds for NBA on TNT, but it remains one of the most popular programs on TNT and continues to draw a large audience.
The changing landscape of sports television
The NBA on TNT was a mainstay of the sports television landscape for many years. But, in recent years, the league has shifted its focus to other broadcasters.
The changing landscape of sports television has had a major impact on the NBA on TNT. In particular, the rise of ESPN and other sports networks has resulted in fewer viewers tuning in to TNT to watch NBA games.
As a result, the NBA on TNT has seen its ratings decline sharply in recent years. In fact, the 2017-18 NBA season was the lowest-rated season in the history of the network.
There are several factors that have contributed to the decline of the NBA on TNT. First and foremost, the competition from other networks has been fierce. ESPN, in particular, has been aggressive in its pursuit of live sports rights andhas become the go-to destination for many basketball fans.
In addition, many fans have turned to illegal streaming services to watch NBA games. These services often offer high-quality streams for free or for a nominal fee, which has made them very popular with basketball fans.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the NBA itself has been struggling in recent years. The league has seen a decline in viewership and interest levels, which has likely had an impact on TNT’s ratings as well.
The competition from other networks
In the 1980s, the NBA began to experience a resurgence in popularity. In part, this was due to the addition of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to the league. However, it was also due to the fact that the NBA was being broadcast on a new network: Turner Network Television, or TNT.
For nearly two decades, TNT was the exclusive home of the NBA. In that time, TNT became known for its high-quality broadcasts and its clever commentary. However, in recent years, TNT has been losing its grip on the NBA.
In 2012, ESPN signed a new broadcast contract with the NBA. Under this contract, ESPN would air games on Wednesday and Friday nights. TNT would still air games on Thursday nights, but it would not have exclusive rights to any games.
In 2016, things got even worse for TNT when ABC (which is also owned by Turner) began airing games on Saturday nights. This left TNT with only Thursday night games.
The competition from other networks has taken its toll on TNT’s ratings. In 2017, TNT’s ratings were down 19% from 2016. And in 2018, they were down another 20%.
What can TNT do to turn things around?
Back in the day, TNT’s Thursday night NBA doubleheaders were appointment television. It was the best night of the week for basketball fans. You had two great games followed by the always entertaining “Inside the NBA” studio show. But now, things aren’t looking so rosy for TNT’s NBA coverage. Let’s take a look at what’s wrong and what TNT can do to turn things around.
Change the broadcast team
The first and most obvious move that TNT can make is to change the broadcast team. The current quartet of Marv Albert, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, and Kevin McHale has been together for six seasons now, and it’s time for a change. say what you will about the league’s current crop of broadcasters, but there is certainly no shortage of talented people who could step in and provide a fresh perspective.
One name that immediately comes to mind is ESPN’s Doris Burke. Burke has been one of the most respected voices in basketball for years now, and her hire would be a huge coup for TNT. Not only would she be an excellent analyst, but she would also add much-needed diversity to the network’s NBA coverage.
Another possible move could be to bring in some former players as analysts. There are plenty of big names who are currently out of work, including Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Amar’e Stoudemire. While it’s unlikely that all three would want to work together on the same broadcast, TNT could certainly mix and match to create an intriguing combination of personalities.
In addition to changing the broadcast team, TNT could also look to shake up its studio coverage. The current format, which sees Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal trade barbs while Kenny Smith tries to play peacemaker, has become quite stale over the years. it’s time for something new, and there are plenty of talented people who could provide it.
One name that springs to mind is Scottie Pippen. Pippen has been making regular appearances on ESPN’s “Get Up!” over the past year or so, and he has proved to be a very insightful analyst. He also has the added bonus of being a two-time NBA champion, which would give him instant credibility with viewers.
Another possible studio addition could be WNBA star Candace Parker. Parker is one of the most popular players in the league, and she already has experience working as an analyst on NBA TV. Her hire would not only add star power to TNT’s studio team but also bring much-needed diversity to the network’s basketball coverage
Change the format
There’s no question that NBA on TNT is in a bit of a slump. viewership is down, ratings are down, and the overall level of excitement surrounding the product just doesn’t seem to be what it once was. So what can TNT do to turn things around?
One suggestion would be to change the format of the show. Instead of having a two-hour pregame show followed by two hours of postgame coverage, TNT could condense everything into a one-hour pregame show and one-hour postgame show. This would allow for more flexibility in the programming and would give viewers the option of only watching the parts of the show that they’re interested in.
Another suggestion would be to focus more on the analysis and less on the highlights. There’s no denying that highlights are still a big part of why people tune into NBA games, but too often it feels like TNT’s coverage is nothing more than a highlight reel with a few talking heads thrown in. If TNT can find a way to strike a better balance between highlights and analysis, it will go a long way towards winning back viewers.
More live games
TNT has been the home of the NBA since 1988, and for much of that time, it’s been the top-rated cable network in the coveted 18-49 demographic. But over the past few years, TNT’s ratings have been declining, and this season they’ve reached a new low. What’s behind the decline? And what can TNT do to turn things around?
One big reason for TNT’s decline is that ESPN has been siphoning off some of the NBA’s top talent. In 2014, ESPN lured away TNT’s lead analyst, Jeff Van Gundy, along with Mark Jackson and Mike Breen. It also signed up Shaquille O’Neal, who had been working for Turner Sports’ other properties.
ESPN has also been airing more live games than ever before. This season, ESPN is averaging 1.4 million viewers for its NBA telecasts, up from 1.2 million last season. That includes both live games and reruns of games that were aired on ESPN earlier in the week. By comparison, TNT is averaging 1.3 million viewers for its live games (down from 1.6 million last season) and 965,000 viewers for its reruns (down from 1.3 million).
So what can TNT do to turn things around? One thing it could do is air more live games. This season, TNT is airing 46 live games, down from 53 last season. ESPN is airing 63 live games (up from 57 last season). If TNT aired even a few more live games, it would most likely see a bump in ratings.
Another thing TNT could do is sign up some big-name talent to replace the analysts it’s lost to ESPN. Rumors are swirling that former NBA star Kobe Bryant could be headed to Turner Sports when his contract with ESPN expires at the end of this season. That would be a huge get for TNT, and it would surely help boost the network’s ratings.