A new NBA season has begun, and with it is the start of multiple new TV and streaming contracts. While this is ideally an exciting time for everyone, a recent report regarding the financial sacrifices fans may have to make to watch all the action was met with overwhelming criticism.
What is The Cost to Follow NBA Action This Season
Sportico reports that it’ll cost fans $650 this season to watch every NBA game across all platforms. The league has spread out the biggest games across multiple broadcasting and streaming partners.
ABC/ESPN remains the league’s biggest platform, as it retained its special Christmas Day package of games, which unofficially marks the start of the season for many NBA fans. It will also continue to host the NBA Finals. All of the games are available through a new streaming service that costs $30 per month.
NBC/Peacock is stepping into the open space as the league ended its partnership with TNT. NBC will host Tuesday night doubleheaders, with the games streaming simultaneously on Peacock. Peacock will stream an exclusive doubleheader of action on Monday nights.
NBC will also televise Sunday night games starting this upcoming February and broadcast All-Star Saturday Night and the NBA All-Star Game. A Peacock subscription costs $11 per month.
Also Read: NBA Salaries Rise by $400 Million Ahead of 2025–26 Season
Many of TNT’s signature Thursday night games will now stream on Amazon Prime Video. Prime Video will stream Friday night action. The NBA will use Prime Video to showcase the NBA Cup, streaming those games on the service.
Prime Video will stream the Play-In Tournament. An Amazon Prime Video subscription costs $9 a month. NBA League Pass, which allows fans to watch out-of-market games, costs $110 for full-season access.
How Did Fans React to Their Potential NBA Viewing Costs
As one might expect, the general reaction to Sportico’s report was negative. One fan noted that very few fans watch all the games, adding, “Y’all can just watch the highlights on Bleacher Report.”
It’s all good. No one watches all the games. Y’all can just watch the highlights on Bleacher Report😂
— A-LECKS-IS™️ #BallGame ✌🏾 (@LECKS_) October 21, 2025
Another fan joked, “Not even Adam Silver watches every NBA game.”
Not even Adam Silver watches every single NBA game.
— Midtown Mike (@MidtownMike22) October 21, 2025
One fan expressed frustration at the NBA. “Making it so hard for me to enjoy the game that I love,” he wrote on X.
He’s making it so hard for me to enjoy the game that I love. pic.twitter.com/L4DaEm5e4n
— I have so many questions? (@english_shamar) October 21, 2025
Another fan clarified, “And this doesn’t include your home team, which is likely blacked out from league pass”, referring to the blackout restrictions that prevent fans from watching live home games of their local team on NBA League Pass.
And this doesn’t include your home team which is likely blacked out from league pass.
— mike (@_ImClutch) October 21, 2025
Other fans joked about finding alternative methods to watch games or brought up NBA Commissioner Adam Silver‘s infamous remark about the league being a highlight-based sport where fans can find the best moments on social media instead of spending money to watch games.
The general fan response is probably not ideal for the NBA.
