The NBA playoffs are entering a new broadcast era in 2026, with games now spread across multiple streaming and network platforms, ending decades of centralized cable coverage.
Under the new media-rights structure, postseason games will be distributed across Prime Video (owned by Amazon), Peacock under NBCUniversal, and ESPN / ABC.
Prime Video will carry all Play-In Tournament games and roughly one-third of first- and second-round matchups. NBC and Peacock will broadcast 28 playoff games, including the Western Conference Finals. ESPN and ABC will retain the Eastern Conference Finals and continue to air the NBA Finals.
The shift marks one of the most significant changes in NBA broadcasting history, replacing the traditional single-network playoff experience with a fragmented, multi-platform model driven by streaming growth.
While Prime Video brings upgraded production quality and analytics-driven coverage, concerns remain around accessibility for casual viewers due to the reliance on internet-based viewing.
NBC’s return to NBA broadcasting has been praised for its production quality and strong commentary teams, while ESPN/ABC continues to anchor the postseason’s most valuable property in the Finals, despite criticism over its studio programming.
The NBA’s new structure reflects a broader media strategy focused on streaming expansion, global reach, and maximizing rights revenue, even as it reshapes how fans experience the league’s biggest games.