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Predicting 2026 headlines: YouTube TV gets new NBA streamer

Predicting 2026 headlines: YouTube TV gets new NBA streamer

YouTube TV could snag exclusive distribution rights to the NBA’s new in-market streaming platform in the coming months.

David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
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David Satin
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Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Peacock is set to stream NBA games with a host of fan-friendly features in 2025.

New year, new goals for YouTube TV. The streamer has already accomplished some major milestones; becoming the first live TV streaming service to crack the 10 million subscriber mark, for example. But a streamer that stops trying to grow will die sooner rather than later, and YouTube TV assuredly has big goals, even if they’re kept a close secret by Google executives.

We think that one of those goals is to give sports fans even more reason to keep their YouTube TV subscription. The service is already the exclusive distribution partner of NFL Sunday Ticket, the out-of-market streaming service that lets viewers watch pro football games not appearing in their area. The NBA has a similar service launching in the near future, with one key difference: this new platform is intended to offer in-market, not out-of-market games. The league is already looking for distribution partners for this new service, and we think YouTube TV will snag the rights to sell it alongside Sunday Ticket in 2026.

The NBA had been eying 2027 to launch an in-market streaming platform that would allow fans to watch their local team’s non-national games without blackouts. But the collapse of Main Street Sports Group made the local rights to several additional teams available sooner than expected, and the league https://thestreamable.com/may be ready to launch the service as soon as the 2026-27 season, with more than 20 teams as a result.

YouTube TV would have competition for the distribution rights to the service. DAZN has already been in contact with the league, as well as individual teams, about distributing their local games starting in 2026. ESPN and other potential rivals are also waiting in the wings, and may have already submitted offers to the NBA to win distribution rights.

But if YouTube TV wants to, it could outbid them all. Its parent company, Google, is a key component of Alphabet, Inc., one of the largest companies in the world, and it can certainly afford to pay whatever the NBA asks for the rights to the service. The league recently scored a huge increase in rights fees from national TV partners, and that success will likely make it confident enough to ask for a high price for its streamer. Whatever the cost, Google can afford to pay — if it wants to.

Having the in-market streaming rights to more than 20 NBA teams, along with the NFL’s out-of-market games, would make YouTube TV an imposing presence in the sports streaming world. Customers are desperate for services that offer a wide range of events on a single platform, and are exhausted with having to keep multiple subscriptions to watch the teams they want to see. Plus, YouTube TV would have the option of bundling the NBA streamer with Sunday Ticket for a discount.

Picking YouTube TV would allow the NBA to offer the new streaming service alongside its out-of-market platform NBA League Pass in the YouTube TV Primetime Channels digital store. This will allow non-YouTube TV subscribers to access the streamer too, and create more bundling opportunities as well.

Competition for the rights to distribute the NBA’s new in-market streaming service will be fierce, but picking YouTube TV would offer mutual advantages to both parties. We think the biggest news story of 2026 for YouTube TV will be that it picks up the rights to the NBA’s new in-market streaming service, becoming one of the most popular sports streaming services available.

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YouTube TV

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.

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Sports are a major focus for YouTube TV, with access to national and regional coverage, league networks, and marquee events. The service also serves as the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, available as an add-on, giving fans access to out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. YouTube TV also offers a smaller sports plan, allowing subscribers access to 30+ sports-oriented channels, including local networks in select markets.

YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost, allowing subscribers to record as many shows as they want and keep recordings for up to nine months. The service is available across a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming players, mobile devices, and web browsers. New subscribers can typically start with a free trial, though the trial length may vary by promotion.

With its broad channel lineup, strong sports offerings, unlimited DVR, and wide device support, YouTube TV remains one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services for viewers who want a traditional TV experience without a cable contract.

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New customers can save $15 per month for 5 months.

David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
Read full bio ›
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