NBC Revives NBCSN with NBA Coverage, Secures Robust Advertising Deals
NEW YORK – NBC is re-launching NBCSN in August 2025, capitalizing on the demand for live sports and a new multi-billion dollar NBA broadcast deal. The move comes after NBCUniversal’s golf properties were spun off into Versant, and with a US$2.45 billion-a-season agreement with the NBA in place, the network aims to maximize revenue streams.
the revamped channel will primarily simulcast content already available on Peacock, including Premier League soccer, college football, and NBA games.This strategy allows NBC to generate advertising and carriage revenue from traditional cable and satellite subscribers who haven’t transitioned to streaming-only services.
NBCSN will be offered to providers as part of a specialty channel package alongside ESPN and Fox Sports 1.YouTube TV has already confirmed a carriage deal for the channel.
NBC’s NBA deal encompasses over 100 regular season games annually, with coverage on sunday and Thursday nights, plus All-Star game content, playoff matches, and a conference series every other year. Peacock will simultaneously stream all coverage and offer exclusive Monday night matchups.
The NBA’s return is expected to considerably boost NBC’s advertising income, with American Express, Kia, McDonalds, State Farm, and Wingstop among nearly 170 partners already signed on. Advertising inventory is nearing a complete sell-out.
More than 70% of advertisers have opted for cross-platform arrangements, validating NBC’s hybrid broadcast approach. Linear advertising investments have exceeded initial expectations by over 20%, further solidifying the decision to re-launch NBCSN.
“The demand for live sports over the last year has been unprecedented across our properties and the NBA is no exception,” said Peter Lazarus, executive vice president, NBC Sports & Olympics, advertising and partnerships. ”Launching a new property, there were certain expectations we had and the appetite from our partners far exceeded all of those. Advertisers were eager to invest across linear, streaming and digital, leading to our near sell-out. We are proud to welcome the NBA to our incredible roster of sports and bring both viewers and advertisers an unrivaled, world-class experience.”
