New York City, October 18, 2025
News Summary
The NBA has announced its ‘Tap to Watch’ initiative, designed to enhance access to live game telecasts across various platforms. Set to launch in the upcoming season, this comprehensive program will guide fans in finding their favorite teams and players with ease. By partnering with major media outlets and enhancing the NBA App with real-time scores and synchronized clocks, the league aims to streamline the viewing experience. The initiative reflects the NBA’s commitment to adapting to the evolving media landscape and improving fan engagement in basketball.
New York City – The NBA has unveiled a new initiative called ‘Tap to Watch’, set to launch in the 2025-26 season. This initiative aims to streamline how fans access live game telecasts, making it easier for them to watch their favorite teams across multiple platforms. The announcement comes as part of the league’s effort to enhance fan engagement in a changing media landscape.
The Tap to Watch initiative will guide fans to live NBA games broadcast across various platforms, including national games on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video, as well as local station broadcasts. This comprehensive approach emphasizes accessibility by incorporating the NBA’s digital ecosystem, notably the NBA App, NBA.com, team apps, and their respective websites.
Fans will be able to access telecasts through a wide array of media partners and third-party platforms, which include Google, Meta, X (formerly Twitter), Snap, Reddit, and Roku. The NBA plans to integrate additional partnerships with companies like FanDuel, Fanatics, and Yahoo Sports, enhancing the viewing experience as the season progresses.
Chris Benyarko, the NBA’s Head of Direct-to-Consumer Products, Technology & Operations, highlights that the goal of Tap to Watch is to ensure live games are increasingly accessible to fans by minimizing confusion over where to find broadcasts, especially under the league’s new media agreements.
As part of the initiative, the NBA App will feature real-time scores, which will include a live clock and scores synchronized with those in NBA arenas, thereby reducing latency issues for viewers. This enhancement is expected to improve fan interaction with live telecasts significantly.
The release of the 2025-26 NBA Schedule is also noteworthy, as it incorporates the fourth annual Rivals Week and three Global Games, showcasing a total of eight key matchups and rivalries. Fans will also benefit from additional information provided by a new flagship show, The Association.
The Tap to Watch feature is specifically designed to assist fans in locating their favorite teams and players amid the proliferation of streaming services. Game pages and the schedule across NBA digital platforms will conveniently display viewing options tailored based on user location and preferences. A unified “watch” button will enable fans to access games directly on the chosen streaming platform seamlessly. Subscribers will have the choice to sign up for viewing platforms through the provided Tap to Watch links if they are not already members of those services.
The NBA acknowledges the rapidly evolving media landscape and is committed to improving the viewing experience for fans. The upcoming season is set to start on Tuesday, October 21, featuring a doubleheader that includes star players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Durant.
As the league shifts toward a more integrated and accessible platform for fans, the Tap to Watch initiative sets a new standard for how basketball is consumed in an increasingly digital world.
FAQ
What is the ‘Tap to Watch’ initiative?
The ‘Tap to Watch’ initiative is a program launched by the NBA to simplify access to live game telecasts, beginning in the 2025-26 season.
Which platforms will feature live NBA games?
Live games will be available on platforms such as ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, as well as local broadcasts.
How will the NBA improve fan experience through the NBA App?
The NBA App will include real-time scores and a synchronized clock with NBA arenas to reduce latency, along with a unified watch button for easier access to games.
When does the NBA season begin?
The NBA season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 21, featuring key matchups and star players.
What other partnerships are being integrated into the Tap to Watch initiative?
The initiative will feature collaborations with companies like FanDuel, Fanatics, and Yahoo Sports throughout the season.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Tap to Watch | A new initiative for easier access to live game telecasts. |
| Platforms | Available on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, and local broadcasts. |
| NBA App Enhancements | Includes real-time scores and synchronized clocks with arenas. |
| Start Date | NBA season begins on October 21. |
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Additional Resources
- NBA: Tap to Watch Initiative
- Adweek: NBA Tap to Watch Stream
- Awful Announcing: Tap to Watch for Fans
- NBC Sports: NBA’s New Tap to Watch Feature
- Google Search: NBA Tap to Watch
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