Contained in the NBA was saved when a historic deal was reached to license the previous TNT present out to ESPN, starting at first of the 2025-2026 TV season. Nonetheless, it was later reported that that transition would include just a few modifications, worrying followers. These considerations had been apparently realized when Disney’s flagship sports activities community revealed Inside’s broadcast schedule for the early a part of the season. A shortened timeslot and fewer exhibits appeared to disappoint followers and, now, sequence co-host Shaquille O’Neal is sharing an upbeat take.
Again in August, it was confirmed that Inside’s new season would hit ESPN on October 22 following the community’s first NBA recreation doubleheader of the season. What gave followers pause, although, was the truth that the present would solely air from 12:05 to 12:35 a.m. ET, which is shorter than the 50-minute slot the present had on its former community. Moreover, after the present airs as soon as extra after the October 23 doubleheader (together with NBA Tip-Off) that evening, one other broadcast of the sequence gained’t be set till the Christmas Day protection.
Followers shortly took to X to share their discontent, with some customers declaring the present was ruined and others utilizing emojis to specific their dismay. Sports activities reporter Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson just lately requested Shaquille O’Neal about how he was adjusting to the change in schedule. That led Shaq to share a response that will soothe those that are nonetheless on the fence in regards to the change:
We’re going to be having a particular present that we’ll be taking pictures a few times every week, so that you’ll undoubtedly be seeing us!
As of this writing, officers from ESPN have but to again up the basketball corridor of famer’s feedback. The probabilities of him sharing inaccurate data, given he’s one of many main names related to Inside, could be bizarre, although. Nonetheless, this does drastically distinction with the replace that was initially shared on the schedule. We’ll have to attend and see what undoubtedly finally ends up panning out, however the notion of 1 to 2 exhibits theoretically being produced is a reduction.
Certainly one of Shaq’s colleagues, Charles Barkley, hasn’t held again his ideas about Contained in the NBA being moved to a brand new community. What Barkley appreciates in regards to the scenario is that plenty of his colleagues’ jobs had been in the end saved. Nonetheless, “Sir Charles” has additionally had varied questions on his schedule and the way usually he’ll be working shifting ahead. Even earlier than that, Barkley took TNT to activity, as he didn’t assume the execs had been forthcoming about Inside’s destiny earlier than the ESPN deal was made.
Nonetheless, it’s been made clear that Barkley, O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith will all be at their posts when Inside returns to the airwaves. What I’m simply hoping is that the present will stay “particular” as Shaq claimed and gained’t be relegated to shorter timeslots and rare airings as that schedule indicated.
Be sure you tune in for Contained in the NBA when it makes its ESPN debut amid the 2025 TV schedule.