What's New as NBA Comes Back to NBC and Debuts on Peacock

The first thing to know about the NBA's return to NBC and its debut on Peacock is that the talent and innovation that drove pro basketball's most iconic decade are back in action. NBCUniversal has always been an industry leader in creating new ways to bring fans closer to the game, and that inventiveness shows no sign of slowing down as the tip-off for the 2025-26 NBA season approaches. Here are just a few ways the company is approaching the NBA's return. 

Next-gen Peacock streaming experiences

Peacock's NBA debut this fall is bringing features designed to bring fans closer to the court like never before. The Live in Browse feature lets fans jump straight into the action as soon as they open the Peacock app. For fans coming late to the game, the Catch up with Key Plays feature quickly brings them up to speed on any device, and with one quick tap, fans can get to the live game on Peacock. For mobile fans on the go, the dedicated Can't Miss Highlights playlist will have the latest game highlights and notable pre-and-post moments from across the league – even games not streaming on NBC or Peacock. Real-time stats and insights on the Peacock NBA home page get fans up to speed on league and player standings any time.

A new viewing mode coming soon to Peacock that lets fans view real-time stats that break down the game, from which player is on a shooting streak to where they are most likely to score from next. The on-screen data overlay helps fans understand what might happen, before it does. When it launches, Performance View can be accessed directly through the NBA hub on Peacock. Starting later this season, viewers will be able to toggle the feature on or off seamlessly within the livestream. 

Peacock ScoreCard is a first-of-its-kind real-time streaming game on TV and mobile – think bingo meets fantasy sports. Choose a card based on teams or themes, then earn points during live play. Personalized ScoreCard alerts will let fans know how their picks are stacking up, and top-ranked fans might see their name on the live leaderboard. 

Putting talent right into the action

In an industry first, NBC Sports is introducing “On the Bench” as part of Peacock NBA Monday throughout the 2025-26 season. This innovative format takes two analysts away from the announcers' table and embeds one of them per team side by side with players and coaches, commenting on the action from each side of the court. 

"On the Bench" commentators will also be on hand for pregame shootarounds and pregame locker room availability.

"On the Bench" will debut on Peacock NBA Monday beginning Oct. 27 when Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers visit Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m. ET. NBC Sports NBA play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle will call the action with Robbie Hummel and Austin Rivers as analysts. Hummel will be dedicated to the Pistons while Rivers will report from the Cavaliers' side.

Blending legacy and just off-the-court talent to create a dynamic NBA broadcast experience

Yesterday's legends and today's champions call the plays – Reggie Miller, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Austin Rivers, and more are joining forces to help make NBA on NBC and Peacock once more into must-see TV. NBC Sports has put together a mix of award-winning sportscasters, legendary NBA players, and stars who've just recently stepped off the court to take up the mic. It's a thoughtful blend of nostalgia and innovation.

Michael Jordan, six-time NBA champion and member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, will join NBC Sports' coverage of the NBA as a special contributor when the 2025-26 season begins in October. 

NBC Sports has announced that Jamal Crawford, Reggie Miller, Grant Hill, Brad Daugherty, Derek Fisher, Robbie Hummel, Austin Rivers, and Brian Scalabrine will serve as game analysts; Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady as studio analysts; Maria Taylor and Ahmed Fareed as studio hosts; and Mike Tirico, Noah Eagle, Terry Gannon and Michael Grady as play-by-play voices. Jordan Cornette, Ashley ShahAhmadi, and Zora Stephenson were announced as courtside reporters and Grant Liffmann as an NBA Insider and Chris Mannix as an NBA digital insider. Michael Jordan has been announced as a special contributor.

And to top it off, beloved staples like "Roundball Rock" and, through AI the unmistakable voice of Jim Fagan will bring a final flourish of nostalgia for longtime NBA fans. 

The packed schedule, the immersive production values, the star players on and off court, and the added-value innovations on Peacock combine to provide NBA fans with three consecutive nights of national coverage across NBCUniversal platforms, generating excitement and putting fans deep into the game in unprecedented ways. The NBA returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock with an NBA Tip-Off doubleheader on Oct. 21 with the Houston Rockets at the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Golden State Warriors at the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. ET.

Check out the full NBA schedule, find out where to watch, and read more about NBA's return to NBC here.