NBA on NBC to return with doubleheader on October 21, per report

Some details are being revealed about NBC’s highly anticipated return to NBA coverage this fall.

According to a report by Joe Otterson in Variety, the first NBA games to air on NBC since the network lost its package in 2002 will come in the form of a doubleheader on October 21.

NBC Pushes ‘The Hunting Party’ to Midseason, As It Sets Fall Premiere Dates for NBA, ‘One Chicago’ Wednesdays and ‘Law & Order’ Thursdays https://t.co/DsBE0ZZSNt

— Variety (@Variety) July 28, 2025

Per the report, NBC’s coverage will begin with a pregame show at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the first game of the doubleheader tipping off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The teams for the doubleheader “will be announced shortly,” according to Otterson.

Last week, the network officially finalized its NBA talent lineup, which will now include the likes of Derek Fisher, Robbie Hummel, Austin Rivers, and Brian Scalabrine along with the numerous other high-profile names announced earlier this year.

Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle will serve as the network’s top play-by-play voices. Jamal Crawford, Reggie Miller, and Grant Hill will be the top game analysts. Of course, the network also made the splashy signing of Michael Jordan as a “special contributor” to its coverage. One would have to imagine he’ll be a part of NBC’s debut on October 21.

The network has also made other key moves, like securing the rights to “Roundball Rock” as the NBA on NBC theme song.

Unfortunately, NBC has also made another move in preparation for the NBA’s return: jacking up the price of Peacock by $3 per month. NBC is paying an eye-watering $2.45 billion per year for its NBA package which is now just under three months away.