Apple Has 'Expressed Interest' in NBA Streaming Rights

Apple has "expressed interest" in acquiring an NBA streaming package, according to a new report from CNBC. Apple is among other interested parties that include Amazon and NBC Sports, with NBCUniversal particularly interested in reacquiring NBA games.

nba logo
NBCUniversal is aiming for a deal that would allow it to air playoff games on the NBC network, with some regular season games exclusive to Peacock streaming service. The report does not have specifics on what other potential buyers like Apple might be interested in.

NBC used to have rights to the NBA until Disney and Turner Sports purchased them more than 20 years ago, and negotiations cannot restart unless Turner Sports and Disney agree to waive an exclusive negotiation window that expires in April 2024. The NBA could ultimately opt to extend its contract with Disney and Turner Sports rather than taking bids from outside companies, but there is a chance at this point that Apple will be able to make a bid.

CNBC suggests that the NBA could create two packages for bidders, with content for three or four partners split between streaming and traditional TV.

Apple has been pursuing sports content in an effort to attract new viewers to the Apple TV+ streaming service. The company has signed deals with Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. MLS games will be available in February, with the MLS Season Pass priced at $14.99 per month or $99 per season, while MLB content premiered last spring with Friday Night Baseball.

Tag: NBA

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

STOCK411 Avatar
39 months ago
If NBC wins the bidding they better bring back the NBA on NBC theme song

Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
uptownnyc Avatar
39 months ago

Would be nice to see, NOBODY cares about baseball.
I've reported this post for hate speech.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FlavorfulTreat Avatar
39 months ago
If Apple can show all the games without blackout rules, it’s an automatic yes from me.

I’ll pay whatever they will charge
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sevendaymelee Avatar
39 months ago

Lol, baseball is just so unbelievably boring, it’s fun to go to the batting cages and hit balls, but watching it is like watching grass grow. I’m glad to see Apple is taking interest in another sport.
MLB is the second biggest sport in terms of revenue in the country, not the NBA. Your dislike of it is fine. You can find it boring. You can rip on it until the preverbal cows come home. But it's the second biggest sport in the country, and more people are into it than the NBA.

The only sport that out-earns MLB is the NFL, which looms over everything.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CaptMarvel Avatar
39 months ago
I’d be interested in this, but curious as to what it’d look like in comparison to NBA League Pass.


If NBC wins the bidding they better bring back the NBA on NBC theme song


One of the best ringtones ever (when ringtones were a thing)!!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ratspg Avatar
39 months ago

If NBC wins the bidding they better bring back the NBA on NBC theme song


So so classic!!! Back when the Bulls used to reign! Love that theme lol.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)