The 2018-19 NBA season begins Tuesday night, and basketball fans will have more ways to stream coverage than ever before. SportTechie offers a rundown of what the over-the-top options offer this year.
NBA League Pass
NBA Digital, a joint production of the league and Turner Sports, is offering the full slate of games via its NBA League Pass. Both the NBA app and Turner’s streaming service, B/R Live, will offer season passes for the entire league or for one team. There is also an option for basketball fans to pay to skip commercials. Those viewers paying extra will receive an in-arena view during breaks.
The package again includes the ability to purchase single games for $6.99 and, after an NBA micropayments experiment last spring, the opportunity to purchase and watch just the end of a basketball game, beginning in the fourth quarter for $1.99. Also new will be a option to buy slivers of the game in 10-minute increments.
Authenticated cable account
Games broadcast on ESPN or TNT will be available on the respective streaming apps for each network: the flagship ESPN app, WatchESPN, and Watch TNT. The same applies to ABC, although fans can watch games on that over-the-air network for free with a digital antennae.
Streaming skinny bundles
Several streaming platforms carry the necessary networks for NBA games, including Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu (with live programming), FuboTV, PlayStation Vue, and DirecTV Now.
Regional sports networks
Most local broadcast partners for teams have in-market streaming options, at least with an authenticated cable subscription.
NBC Sports Gold
Fans of the Portland Trailblazers and Philadelphia 76ers can stream some coverage of their teams through NBC Sports Gold packages. Blazers Pass is available for Pacific Northwest residents, and will feature 15 Blazers games chosen by fans. Philly Pass is available to Philadelphia sports fans outside of the area’s regional distribution territory, and features pre- and post-game coverage for the 76ers, Eagles, and Phillies.
Other options
NextVR Now will stream select basketball games in virtual reality working with NBA League Pass. Two Golden State Warriors games will be available in 3D during the NBA League Pass Free Preview this weekend. TuneIn will carry radio broadcasts.