The 2022-23 NBA season tipped off a few weeks ago on October 18, 2022, and there are a lot of storylines fans are eagerly waiting to see play out on the hardwood. Can the Golden State Warriors repeat as NBA champions for the second time in seven years? How are the Nets going to use Ben Simmons? What’s going on with the Lakers? We are here to help you figure out which cable or satellite TV provider is the best choice to watch the new 2022-23 NBA season and the rest of the excitement NBA basketball!
While the debate rages on as to whether the sport of baseball was truly invented in America or not, basketball is the only major US sport that can trace its roots back here. Basketball is now a worldwide phenomenon, and the NBA is the pinnacle of it all. Interestingly, the NBA has the most social media followers of all other major sports leagues. While viewership declined during the playoffs and finals in the bubble, it’s been steadily growing back up in the past two years. But we know you’re not just interested in the finals – you want to see every poster dunk, every game-changing run, and every buzzer-beater. The NBA’s popularity means there are plenty of ways to watch every team and every game, so read on to find out which is best for your viewing preferences.
All channels that broadcast NBA games
- ESPN
- ESPN 2
- TNT
- TBS
- NBA TV
- NBA League Pass
- ABC
- Regional sports networks (RSN)
Each team plays a total of 82 games in the NBA regular season, meaning there will be a total of 1,230 games taking place before the postseason. If you’re looking to watch as much NBA action as you can this season, you’ll likely need to check out your in-market and out-of-market broadcast options to get the most coverage. If you don’t live close to where your favorite team plays, you should also consider out-of-market viewing options so you can watch them play more consistently.
In-market vs out-of-market
Before going over the different channels that air NBA games, we want to ensure you know what the terms “in-market” and “out-of-market” refer to. If a game is in-market, that means the broadcast is based on your physical location when tuning in. If the broadcast of a game is considered out-of-market, that means it is not tied to any geographical location and is available anywhere. For example, if you live in Milwaukee, the in-market game coverage will almost always be a Bucks game, even if they are playing on the road. A Milwaukee Bucks fan that lives in Texas would be considered out-of-market because the Rockets, Mavericks, and Spurs are the local in-market teams. This fan likely wouldn’t be able to see their Bucks play unless it was against one of these teams.
As you can see, it’s important to get out-of-market coverage both for fans that don’t live close to where their favorite team plays and those that want to watch as many NBA games as they can.
In-market game coverage: Regional sports networks
Regional sports networks are the only in-market way for fans to consistently see their favorite teams play. These networks only cover local sports teams within a specific region, so you’ll probably learn a lot more about the players, coaches, and the organization’s history when you’re tuning in. If you want to get access to the RSN in your area, you’ll need to pay to get them from a cable provider that carries it. It’s worth noting that if you don’t live in a region where you’d be considered in-market for your favorite team, you likely won’t need a package that includes the RSN unless you want to watch as much NBA basketball as humanly possible.
Out-of-market coverage: ESPN, ESPN 2, TNT, TBS NBA TV, NBA League Pass, and ABC
With those 1,000+ regular season games, it should come as no surprise that there are a variety of out-of-market viewing options. ESPN broadcasts doubleheaders on Wednesday and Friday nights over the course of the season and has the rights to the western conference finals. TNT has doubleheaders on Tuesday and Thursday nights and has the exclusive rights to the All-Star game and eastern conference finals. ESPN 2 and TBS serve as overflow channels for ESPN and TNT, respectively, and occasionally air some NBA broadcasts. NBA TV has games almost every night during the regular season and even gets a few playoff games every now and then. NBA League Pass is an incredible package that gives basketball fans access to up to 40 different out-of-market games a week. This makes it a must-have for those who want to watch as much NBA action as they can this season. ABC broadcasts regular season games on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon throughout the season and has exclusive rights to broadcast the finals.
Key NBA events:
- All-Star game: February 19th, 2023 on TNT and TBS
- Play-In Tournament: April 11th, 2023 on ESPN and TNT
- Playoffs: April 15th, 2023 on ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV
- Finals: June 1st, 2023 on ABC
- Draft: June 22nd, 2023 on ESPN and ABC
Whether you’re just looking for the most convenient way to watch your favorite team or want to see as much NBA basketball as you can this NBA season, we can help you find the best cable or satellite tv package that’s right for your needs. Just use our website to compare your options, and reach out to us if you have any questions. After you’ve made your choice, schedule installation and enjoy!