GoKawiilThe NBA playoffs started right on time earlier this month, but while the playoff calendar hasn't changed this year, the broadcast schedule has shifted for the 2026 playoffs.
Under the NBA's new media-rights deal, games this season were split across its three broadcast partners: Disney (ABC/ESPN), Comcast (NBC/Peacock) and Amazon (Prime Video). Each of these three entities has a part of the playoffs.
Here's what you need to know to watch the 2026 NBA playoffs in this new streaming era for professional basketball.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder have a first-round matchup against the Phoenix Suns as they attempt to repeat as NBA champions. Zach Beeker/NBAE/Getty Images)
How to watch the NBA playoffs
The channel lineup needed for the NBA playoffs is different this year. Gone are games on TNT and NBA TV. Instead, you'll need a TV subscription that has ABC, ESPN, NBC and NBC Sports Network -- plus Amazon Prime. Or you can go the streaming route and use Prime Video, Peacock and ESPN Unlimited.
NBC/Peacock has the most first-round coverage. It will show up to 23 first-round games and 11 second-round games as well as the Western Conference Finals. Every one of its games will stream on Peacock and also be shown on either NBC or NBCSN.
The rest of the first round games will be split between ESPN/ABC and Prime Video. This year's Eastern Conference finals will be on ESPN/ABC. And in June, the NBA Finals will be broadcast on ABC.
You can see all of the first-round matchups and TV schedule here.
Peacock/CNET Peacock NBA playoffs for $11 a month Peacock will stream NBA playoff games from the first round through the Western Conference Finals. Games on Peacock will also appear on NBC or NBC Sports Network, so you don't necessarily need Peacock to have access to every NBA playoff game. You can stream every NBA playoff broadcast with Peacock's $11-a-month Premium plan. Read our Peacock review. See at Peacock
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