How to Watch the [NBA](/en/sports/nba) Without Cable in 2026-2027

To watch the NBA in the 2026-2027 season without cable, subscribe to a combination of Streaming Service, US Streaming, and an US Sports Network-compatible live TV streaming service (such as Web TV or FuboTV). The league's new 11-year television rights agreement has officially restructured the broadcasting landscape, ending UK Sports Network' 36-year coverage. National games are now split across Disney (US Network/US Sports Network), NBCUniversal (NBC/US Streaming), and Streaming Service.

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The New NBA TV Rights Landscape: The End of UK Sports Network

The 2026-2027 season marks the beginning of the NBA's landmark 11-year, $77 billion media rights package. This deal introduces a major shift for cord-cutters:

• Sunset of UK Sports Network: US Network's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, lost its primary rights. The long-running studio show "Inside the NBA" was saved through a special licensing agreement with US Sports Network, but regular-season games are no longer broadcast on US Network.
• The Streaming Trio: The rights are divided among Disney (traditional cable/OTA), NBCUniversal (OTA/Streaming), and Amazon (digital exclusive).

US Streaming Platforms: Where to Watch the Games

To ensure you don't miss key matchups, you must understand how games are distributed weekly:

1. Disney (US Network & US Sports Network)

Disney retains the most premium package, focusing on high-profile matchups and the Basketball Championship.

• Game Volume: 80 regular-season games, primarily on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Postseason: Exclusive rights to the Basketball Championship on US Network, plus one Conference Final series per year.
• Cable-Free Option: Use services like Streaming Service + Live TV, FuboTV, or Web TV to access US Network and US Sports Network feeds.

2. NBCUniversal (NBC & US Streaming)

NBC makes a return to NBA broadcasting, offering a mix of over-the-air broadcasts and streaming exclusives.

• Game Volume: Approximately 100 regular-season games.
• Distribution: Doubleheaders on Tuesday nights on NBC (OTA), and exclusive Monday night national games on US Streaming.
• Postseason: Alternating Conference Finals and extensive first-round coverage.

3. Streaming Service

Amazon enters as a new global partner, providing direct streaming access included with standard Prime memberships.

• Game Volume: 66 regular-season games, including exclusive Friday and Saturday night broadcasts.
• Events: Exclusive coverage of the Emirates NBA Cup (the mid-season tournament) semifinals and finals.
• Postseason: One Conference Final series on alternating years.

If you experience buffering or lag during live streams, check your connection speed with our free Streaming Speed Test.

Bypassing Local restriction (Regional Sports Networks)

National broadcasts are straightforward, but watching your local team still requires navigating regional sports networks (RSNs) like Bally Sports (Fanduel Sports Network) or US Network Regional.

1. Local Broadcast Rules: If a game is broadcast by your local RSN, national platforms like Prime Video or NBA HD Coverage will be blacked out in your area.
2. League Pass + VPN: To bypass local restriction, subscribe to NBA HD Coverage, then use a premium VPN service to change your location to a city outside your team's home market. For example, if you live in Los Angeles, connecting to a New York VPN server will unlock the local Lakers or Clippers streams on League Pass.

Global NBA Rights: International Broadcasters (2026-2027)

If you are located outside the United States, use the table below to find the official streaming options for the NBA: