Local NBA Games Streaming Live In O8?

by Jeff Clark on Aug 20, 2008 12:41 PM EDT in News/Links Comment 12 comments

According to the Sports Business Journal:

The NBA is poised to become the first major U.S. sports league to stream live games in local markets, an aggressive offering that will set up a showdown between cable operators and regional sports networks.
The move marks the latest evolution in digital rights and adds fuel to one of the most contentious issues in local sports media as teams look to broaden their reach while operators look to protect the rights to their most expensive programming.
The plan would allow viewers to watch live games online within their local market for the first time. That could mean Chicago Bulls fans could watch live action on Bulls.com or on the team’s local RSN Web site, in this case, Chicago.ComcastSportsNet.com. Whether the online offering is free or not is still to be determined.
The NBA will use geo-blocking technology to ensure that people outside of a team’s territory will not be able to access its games online to comply with the league’s local marketing rules.

Note that this won't help out of towners trying to catch the games. You'll still have to sign up for League Pass.

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Comments

I think this is a good move. You’re going to watch on the internet when you can’t get it any other way.

by GreenBalls on Aug 20, 2008 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope the NBA considers Maine to be part of the Celtics local territory…

by arctic 3.0 on Aug 20, 2008 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t really understand the concept, you have to be in the local area and still buy league pass ? To me it certainly doesn’t seem worth the extra money. I wonder how many people live in the New England area but can’t watch the Celtics on comcast TV, if its alot then I understand sorta.

by Champzilla on Aug 20, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If this goes through I will never need cable or dish again.

by aliendave on Aug 20, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, outside the territory has to buy league pass, I read it wrong the first time, my bad. Yeah that seems like a cool idea if Comcast does it. Artic3.0 I’m pretty sure Maine is considered Celtic local territory, New England, if you are able to watch Celtic games now.

by Champzilla on Aug 20, 2008 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ahh…the almight dollar.

sure stream a game in the future, but i’d bet dollars to doughnuts it’ll be bogged down with ads floating on the screen, and forced playing of video ads, trying to sell god knows what.

i want 1986 back.

by mcpu40 on Aug 20, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

why wouldn’t they just play commercials during the TV timeouts like they do now?

by Jeff Clark on Aug 20, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There’d be nothing fancy, you’d just be getting the stream from the local affiliate anyway. It’s good in that they’re giving more options for viewing. And their geo-blocking is pathetically easy to defeat anyway, at least for anyone with a modicum of computer savvy. The downside is obviously the resolution isn’t going to be great if you’re used to getting games in HD.

by dobbs on Aug 20, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Any word on if Canada will get this treatment as well?

by davemonsterband on Aug 20, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Please let all of CT be C’s territory…

by clover on Aug 20, 2008 5:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

@ dobbs

I was watching some of the Olympic basketball games on the computer and I was pretty impressed with the quality. If it’s anything as good as that I’ll be thrilled.

by professorperkins on Aug 20, 2008 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs