Top Stories: NBC Thrilled with Year 1 of NBA Deal, Touts 'On The Bench' as a Success NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood highlighted numerous successes from the network's first season back broadcasting the NBA, with the innovative 'On The Bench' feature standing out. Tim Reynolds | The Associated Press April 8, 2026 | 8:36 PM Expect more of NBC’s “On The Bench” innovation during NBA games going forward. Reflecting on the network’s return to the NBA, Flood on Wednesday touted highlights such as featuring voices like Michael Jordan, Snoop Dogg, Caitlin Clark, and Lenny Kravitz on broadcasts, and creatively blending the past with the present. However, the major success, in Flood’s view, was the execution of placing analysts directly on team benches—a move that worked out “probably better than many imagined.” “We’d love to do more ‘On The Bench’ games. We think that is something that has redefined, to a degree, how you can consume a basketball game in the NBA,” Flood told The Associated Press. “So, we want to lean into that a little bit more.” Originally planned for Monday night games, the format—where an analyst is positioned on each team’s bench for the entire game—expanded to include Sunday nights. Flood praised teams for their cooperation.
“Tonight is the debut of 'On the Bench' where our analysts will be calling the game from each team's bench giving fans a unique viewing experience every Monday on Peacock.”While sideline reporting is not new, this level of “courtside” integration in the NBA was unprecedented this season. Flood shared that play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico “loved it” during a game in Miami, calling it a fun, different kind of telecast. An added benefit for teams? “We don’t ask to speak to the head coach for in-game interviews,” Flood explained. “We say: ‘Who’s your assistant that you want to get this sort of exposure?’” Looking Ahead: Prime Video holds rights to the upcoming play-in tournament. The playoffs begin April 18 on Prime Video, NBC/Peacock, and ABC/ESPN, with the NBA Finals exclusive to ABC/ESPN. This season marks the first of the NBA’s 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal, welcoming NBC back and introducing Prime Video. NBC capitalized on Olympic buzz to broadcast the new U.S. vs. The World All-Star tournament in February, achieving the event’s highest viewership since 2011. Additional successes included Jordan’s interview series “Insights to Excellence” and the celebrated return of John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock” anthem. “Our goal was to under-promise and over-deliver,” Flood said. “The feedback is that we delivered what we promised and perhaps exceeded that.”
— @NBAonNBC (October 27, 2025)
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