Warner Bros, Discovery and the NBA have settled a contentious legal dispute concerning broadcasting rights, marking a significant shift in their long-standing partnership.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Warner Bros. Discovery will continue its coverage of NBA content, but with a focus on digital platforms and international markets, while conceding US TV game rights to competitors, as per Variety.
The 11-year deal resolves the lawsuit Warner had filed against the NBA after the league decided to exclude the media giant from its new broadcasting arrangements.
The NBA’s new TV rights package, which includes Disney’s ESPN, Amazon, and NBCUniversal, had left Warner on the sidelines for its domestic game broadcasts, which it has carried since 1989.
Despite this, Warner Bros. Discovery will retain the rights to showcase NBA highlights and content through its Bleacher Report and House of Highlights platforms, as per Variety.
The settlement marks a shift in Warner’s strategy, as the company pivots to a greater emphasis on digital and international NBA content.
In a separate arrangement, Warner Bros. Discovery has struck a deal to make its popular “Inside the NBA” studio show available to ESPN during key points of the NBA season.
This collaboration will allow ESPN to leverage Warner’s expertise and iconic personalities like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, as part of its broader NBA coverage. (ANI)
