Inside the NBA
Inside the NBA is the studio show that surrounds live NBA games with analysis, arguments and comedy. Ernie Johnson hosts, with former players Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith as analysts. After 36 years on television, mostly on TNT, it moved to ESPN and ABC for the 2025 to 2026 season, still produced by TNT Sports in Atlanta.
Where to watch
We haven’t verified where Inside the NBA is streaming in Canada yet. Check JustWatch
- On TV ESPN Wed 11:30 PMOn TV this week
We haven’t verified where Inside the NBA is streaming in the UK yet. Check JustWatch
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Our take
Inside the NBA is the studio show that surrounds live NBA games with analysis, arguments and comedy. Ernie Johnson hosts, with former players Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith as analysts. After 36 years on television, mostly on TNT, it moved to ESPN and ABC for the 2025 to 2026 season, still produced by TNT Sports in Atlanta.
Why watch The show's reputation rests on its panel: Johnson's steady hosting against Barkley's unfiltered opinions, O'Neal's comedy and Smith's tactical work at the screen. It has won 21 Sports Emmy Awards, is in the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, and received the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame's first Transformative Media Award in 2020. For basketball fans and for viewers who enjoy sport mainly for the conversation around it.
What to know
In November 2024 the NBA, TNT Sports and ESPN announced that the show would move to ESPN and ABC once TNT lost its NBA rights. Under the agreement TNT Sports continues to produce it independently from its Atlanta studios. The show made its ESPN debut over two nights, 22 and 23 October 2025, at the start of the regular season.
On ESPN it serves as the pregame, halftime and postgame show for selected high-profile games, including the NBA on ESPN doubleheaders, Saturday Primetime on ABC, Christmas Day games and the NBA Finals on ABC. ESPN publishes its dates in advance for each season.
Where to start
Any broadcast. There is no continuity to keep up with, and the show is at its liveliest on big nights such as Christmas Day and the playoffs.
Next on TV
- Wed 4 Nov · 11:30 PM ESPN S2026 · E4 · Postgame Show 4 US
Seasons & episodes
- Season 1988
- Season 2015
- Season 2016
- Season 2017
- Season 2020
- Season 2021
- Season 2022
- Season 2023
- Season 2024
- Season 2025
- Season 2026
Cast & crew
Quick answers
- Where can I watch Inside the NBA?
- In the US: ESPN (on TV).
- What is Inside the NBA about?
- Inside the NBA is the studio show that surrounds live NBA games with analysis, arguments and comedy. Ernie Johnson hosts, with former players Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith as analysts. After 36 years on television, mostly on TNT, it moved to ESPN and ABC for the 2025 to 2026 season, still produced by TNT Sports in Atlanta.
- Who is in the cast of Inside the NBA?
- Inside the NBA stars Ernie Johnson as Host, Charles Barkley as NBA Analyst, Kenny Smith as NBA Analyst, Shaquille O'Neal as NBA Analyst and Jalen Rose as NBA Analyst.
- When did Inside the NBA start?
- Inside the NBA premiered on 1 November 1988 and is still running, with 11 seasons so far.
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