NBC Sports is set to introduce "Basketball Night in America," a brand new on-location studio program, coinciding with the launch of its "Sunday Night Basketball" franchise on February 1, 2026. The network officially announced this plan via a press release on Monday, also revealing that Lenny Kravitz will be performing the show’s opening segment.
"Basketball Night in America" will be broadcast every Sunday night on NBC and Peacock, directly preceding the weekly NBA game coverage. This one-hour studio show will be broadcast live from the sites of the games, mirroring the format of NBC’s “Football Night in America,” which broadcast on-location for its coverage of the Dallas Cowboys versus Green Bay Packers game earlier this year.
The "Sunday Night Basketball" premiere will feature a doubleheader: the Los Angeles Lakers at the New York Knicks at 7 p.m. Eastern, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Denver Nuggets at 9:30 p.m. Maria Taylor will be the host of "Basketball Night in America." NBC previously announced her role as the lead studio host for its NBA and WNBA coverage in June. Taylor also hosts "Football Night in America" and "Big Ten College Countdown," and has experience with NBC’s on-site studio formats.
NBC’s full NBA broadcast team includes Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle on play-by-play, with Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford as analysts. The studio team features Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Austin Rivers, and Brian Scalabrine. Grant Liffman and Chris Mannix will serve as insiders, and Michael Jordan is expected to appear as a special contributor.
Kravitz, a four-time Grammy Award winner, will perform in the show’s opening segment. The musician has sold 50 million albums globally and recently released his twelfth studio album, Blue Electric Light. He is currently on a world tour and has previously worked in film, fashion, and design.
NBC Sports will broadcast up to 100 NBA games this season, including coverage on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights, along with the NBA Playoffs and All-Star Weekend. Following the Feb. 1 debut, the "Sunday Night Basketball" schedule will pause on Feb. 8 and 15 for the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, and the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Coverage will resume on Feb. 22 and continue through April 5. Photo courtesy of NBC Sports.