The Future Of Local NBA Broadcasts: What Comes After The RSN Era?

LocalProximity
Written By Tim Hanlon

Andrea Leopardi / @whatyouhide / via Unsplash

With word emanating out of the National Basketball Association’s Board of Governors meetings this week that two league committees will be tasked with analyzing the economic possibilities of potential expansion (our recommendation, of course, is to right the wrong done to Seattle back in 2008 - and bring back the Sonics) - it is an especially opportune time to dig into how local franchise media rights will or won’t drive revenues for both clubs and the greater enterprise in the coming years.

The End Of An Era For RSNs

For decades, regional sports networks (RSNs) were the backbone of local NBA viewing. If you wanted to watch your hometown team, you needed a cable subscription and access to the right RSN. But those days are quickly fading. The NBA’s massive new media rights deal, worth $77 billion over 11 years, is changing everything.

This contract, which brings NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and ESPN/ABC into the fold, means that starting next season, the entirety of the two-month-long playoff season will be broadcast nationally. Local RSNs and over-the-air broadcast stations will no longer simulcast playoff games — a huge shift for fans used to tuning into hometown play-by-play on their local channels.

The decline of RSNs isn’t just about the NBA’s new deal. It’s also about a broader trend: linear TV cord-cutting. Fewer households have traditional cable, satellite or telco TV, and RSNs are struggling to survive. Several NBA teams have already abandoned RSNs, turning instead to a mix of over-the-air broadcasts and their own direct-to-consumer streaming services. The Los Angeles Clippers (ClipperVision), Utah Jazz (Jazz+), Phoenix Suns (Suns Live), New Orleans Pelicans (Pelicans+), the Dallas Mavericks (MavsTV)and Portland Trail Blazers (BlazerVision) are leading this charge, and more teams are angling to follow.

A Hybrid Future: Over-the-Air + Streaming

So, what next then for local NBA TV broadcasts? The answer is a hybrid model that combines the best of old and new.

First, over-the-air TV broadcasts are making a comeback. They’re free, easy to access, and don’t require a cable subscription. This is great news for fans who just want to watch their team without jumping through (ahem) hoops or paying extra fees.

But the real revolution is happening online. Teams are launching their own direct-to-consumer streaming services. The NBA is considering a “local League Pass,” which would let fans subscribe directly to their home team’s games, irrespective of location. Amazon Prime Video is getting involved, too, offering local streaming packages that could make it even easier to watch games on any device.

This hybrid approach isn’t just about convenience — it’s about extended accessibility. For years, local games have been locked behind expensive paywalls or limited by blackout rules. Now, fans will have more options than ever to watch via phone, TV, or laptop — at home or, increasingly, on the go.

Innovation On The Horizon

With tech giants like Amazon and streaming parents like Peacock’s NBCUniversal and Disney’s ESPN now holding major NBA rights, expect to see big changes in how games are presented during this next rights cycle. Imagine watching your local team with multiple camera angles, real-time stats, and interactive features that let you chat with other fans or follow your favorite players. The NBA app will also become a complimentary one-stop shop for all your basketball needs, directing you to local and national games and offering personalized content.

Teams may also start working together — including with other sports properties — to create regional streaming platforms, pooling their resources to reach more fans and cut costs. The NBA itself could play a bigger role in producing local broadcasts, ensuring high-quality coverage and a consistent experience across markets.

Challenges And Growing Pains

Of course, the transition won’t be seamless. Some fans will be frustrated by the need to manage multiple subscriptions or learn new platforms. Teams will face the challenge of producing and distributing their own content, which can be expensive and complicated. And for those who loved the old RSN model, there will be a sense of loss as familiar voices and traditions fade away.

But the alternative — sticking with a dying RSN system — isn’t realistic. The NBA’s willingness to experiment and adapt is a sign of a league that understands the changing media landscape and a willingness to vigorously experiment.

A New Golden Age For Local NBA Viewing

In the end, these changes could usher in a new golden age for local NBA broadcasts. Fans will have more ways to watch, teams will have new opportunities to connect with their communities, and the league will be better positioned to grow its audience in a digital world. The NBA’s new media deal is just the beginning. The real excitement is happening at the local level, where the league’s most passionate fans are about to get a whole new way to experience the game they love.

Tim Hanlon

Tim Hanlon is the Founder & CEO of the Chicago-based Vertere Group, LLC – a boutique strategic consulting and advisory firm focused on helping today’s most forward-leaning media companies, brands, entrepreneurs, and investors benefit from rapidly changing technological advances in marketing, media and consumer communications.

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