New York City, NY, October 18, 2025
News Summary
The NBA has announced a new initiative titled ‘Tap to Watch’ to simplify live game access for fans starting in the 2025-26 season. This initiative will enable viewers to connect easily with games on various platforms, including national broadcasts and local games. Featuring the NBA App’s Real-Time Scores, ‘Tap to Watch’ aims to enhance the overall viewing experience while collaborating with numerous media partners to expand accessibility for basketball fans across various platforms.
New York City, NY – The NBA has unveiled its plans for a new initiative titled ‘Tap to Watch’, designed to simplify the process for fans to access live game telecasts starting with the 2025-26 season. This initiative aims to streamline the viewing experience amidst the growing complexity of streaming services.
‘Tap to Watch’ will direct fans to live NBA games available on various platforms, including national broadcasts on ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video, as well as local games. The move is part of the NBA’s broader strategy to leverage its digital ecosystem, which encompasses the NBA App, NBA.com, team-specific apps, and websites.
The initiative will also engage a wide array of media partners and third-party platforms, including Google, Meta, X, Snap, Reddit, and Roku. This partnership framework is expected to expand the viewing options for fans significantly. Additionally, collaboration with companies like FanDuel, Fanatics, and Yahoo Sports will be integrated throughout the upcoming season, further enhancing accessibility.
As a key feature within the NBA App, ‘Tap to Watch’ will include Real-Time Scores, which will showcase a live clock and real-time scoring updates synchronized with NBA arenas. This improvement aims to reduce latency and enhance the overall experience for viewers. Furthermore, the 2025-26 NBA Schedule Release, presented by Ticketmaster, will spotlight significant events, including the fourth annual Rivals Week and a series of Global Games.
For the new season, fans can expect eight highlighted key matchups and rivalries, enticing them with a robust competitive lineup. The league’s flagship show, The Association, is also set to provide essential tuning information for fans, ensuring they remain informed and engaged.
The design of the ‘Tap to Watch’ feature caters to the current media landscape’s fragmentation. It will provide a singular “watch” button on game and schedule pages across NBA digital platforms, allowing fans to find their preferred teams and players easily. This button will lead users directly to the appropriate streaming platform or option based on their location and preferences.
To further enrich the experience, fans who are not subscribed to the viewing platforms will have the option to sign up directly through the ‘Tap to Watch’ links, fostering a seamless transition to viewing NBA games. This initiative reflects the NBA’s understanding of the evolving media landscape and its commitment to making live games more accessible for all fans.
The 2025-26 NBA season is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, October 21, featuring a doubleheader that highlights star players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Durant. With the introduction of ‘Tap to Watch’, the NBA hopes to alleviate confusion surrounding viewing options as the league expands its media agreements and embraces innovative strategies for fan engagement.
FAQ
What is the ‘Tap to Watch’ initiative?
‘Tap to Watch’ is a new NBA initiative set to launch in the 2025-26 season, aimed at simplifying access to live NBA game telecasts across various platforms.
Which platforms will feature the ‘Tap to Watch’ access?
The initiative includes national game broadcasts on ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video, as well as local broadcasts through the NBA’s digital ecosystem.
What added features does the NBA App provide under this initiative?
The NBA App will feature Real-Time Scores, which includes live clocks and synchronized scoring updates with NBA arenas.
Will the ‘Tap to Watch’ feature be compatible with third-party platforms?
Yes, the initiative encompasses collaboration with third-party platforms such as Google, Meta, X, Snap, Reddit, and Roku to enhance accessibility.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Tap to Watch | Streamlines access to live NBA games |
| Platforms | Available on ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, Prime Video, and more |
| Real-Time Scores | Live clock and synchronized scoring updates |
| Third-party Integration | Includes Google, Meta, Snap, X, Reddit, Roku |
| Subscription Options | Direct subscription through the Tap to Watch feature |
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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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