Breaking: NBA Shifts TV Rights in Spain – Amazon Prime Video Takes Center Court
Madrid, Spain – In a seismic shift for Spanish basketball fans, the NBA has finalized its television rights distribution, handing the reins to Amazon Prime Video as the primary broadcaster starting in 2025. This marks the end of a nearly 30-year run for Movistar+ as the exclusive home of NBA action in Spain, and signals a new era of accessibility – and potential cost – for viewers. This is a breaking news development with significant SEO implications for sports fans searching for NBA coverage.
What Does This Mean for NBA Fans in Spain?
From 2025 to 2036, Amazon Prime Video will be the go-to destination for a substantial portion of NBA games. The deal includes a robust package of live and on-demand content, featuring:
- 87 regular season games annually
- Complete coverage of the NBA Cup qualifiers
- Full access to the Play-In Tournament
- One-third of First and Second Round Playoff games
- Select Conference Finals series
- The entirety of the NBA Finals
But the coverage doesn’t stop there. Amazon will also be taking over support for NBA League Pass, both in the US and globally. While details are still emerging, expect an additional cost for League Pass access, currently priced at a standard €49.99 per year in Spain. This move reflects a broader trend in sports broadcasting – the fragmentation of content across multiple streaming platforms.
WNBA Joins the Prime Video Lineup
The expansion doesn’t end with the NBA. Starting in 2026, Amazon Prime Video will also broadcast 30 regular season WNBA games, the Commissioner’s Cup, and key playoff series, including 7 semifinals and 3 finals over the next 11 years. This increased visibility for the WNBA is a welcome development for the league, which continues to gain momentum and attract a growing fanbase worldwide.
Movistar+’s Future in Spanish NBA Coverage
For nearly three decades, Movistar+ (formerly Canal+) has been synonymous with NBA basketball in Spain, renowned for its high-quality production and dedicated coverage. While their exclusive run is ending, the NBA is keen to maintain a relationship. Negotiations are underway for Movistar+ to acquire a supplementary package of games, potentially complementing Prime Video’s offerings. The NBA’s stated goal is to multiply the league’s coverage in Spain through this collaborative approach. The financial details of this potential partnership remain undisclosed.
Evergreen Insight: The shift to streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video isn’t unique to the NBA. Across the globe, leagues are re-evaluating their broadcasting strategies to reach wider audiences and capitalize on the growing demand for on-demand content. This trend is driven by changing consumer habits and the increasing prevalence of cord-cutting.
This change also highlights the importance of understanding SEO strategies for sports content. Fans are increasingly turning to search engines to find out where and how to watch their favorite teams and players. Optimizing content for relevant keywords – like “NBA Spain,” “Amazon Prime Video NBA,” and “Movistar+ NBA” – is crucial for broadcasters and content providers alike.
The coming months will be critical as details regarding Movistar+’s package and the implementation of NBA League Pass on Amazon Prime Video are revealed. For Spanish basketball fans, it’s a time of transition, but also of potential opportunity – a chance to access more NBA and WNBA action than ever before, albeit through a new landscape of streaming services.
