The NBA returns to NBC for the first time in 23 years this fall and the peacock network is already pulling out all the stops months in advance, airing a new promo during NBC’s Sunday Night Football broadcast.
Viewers were treated to a quick 45 second commercial featuring actor Jack McBrayer reprising his role as Kenneth the Page from “30 Rock” giving a tour of the NBCUniversal studios, which popular NBA players Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Victor Wembanyama are on.
The promotion marks the official kick off of NBC informing viewers that NBA games are coming to NBC and Peacock in the fall.
Along with the commercial airing on TV, The @NBAonNBC social media accounts will debut on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Threads.
Last July, the NBA announced it had reached an media agreement with Amazon, Disney and NBCUniversal that will generate an estimated $76 billion over 11 years.
Disney will retain the NBA Finals exclusively; Amazon will have global rights to 66 regular-season NBA games, including an opening week doubleheader and a new “Black Friday” NBA game; and NBCU will show 100 national regular season games across NBC and Peacock.
NBC will also air WNBA games, which could prove to be an added bonus given a surge in interest in women’s sports.
“Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans,” the NBA said. “Our new arrangement with Amazon supports this goal by complementing the broadcast, cable and streaming packages that are already part of our new Disney and NBCUniversal arrangements. All three partners have also committed substantial resources to promote the league and enhance the fan experience.”
