Basketball league NBA has become the first sports league network to launch a direct-to-consumer subscription offering. NBA Digital, which is jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports, has launched NBA TV for consumers in the US.
Through NBA.com and the NBA App, fans are now able to access the channel, which includes more than 100 exclusive live NBA games, original programming and an extensive list of on-demand video content with advanced viewing options via mobile devices, connected devices, gaming consoles, tablets and web browsers, all for $6.99 per month or $59.99 annually. The NBA TV offering will also continue to be available on an authenticated basis for fans who get NBA TV from a pay-TV provider.
NBA Digital recently debuted a new NBA TV franchise, “Center Court,” which features a series of 20 live NBA games with enhanced viewing options throughout the 2019-20 season. NBA TV will experiment with Next-Generation game viewing enhancements, including new camera angles, with footage captured exclusively on smartphones; live on-screen group chats with celebrity influencers; in-depth analytics and statistical graphics; and social media integration.
Alternative streaming options for “Center Court” games are accessible through the NBA App and NBA.com for all fans who get NBA TV from a pay-TV provider or with an NBA TV direct-to-consumer subscription. Those options include “Backcourt” streams featuring Second Spectrum technology, with statistical overlays on the game feed, and “Frontcourt” streams incorporating alternative audio options with rotating groups of NBA influencers.
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“Innovation has always been at the core of our NBA Digital partnership and the launch of this direct to consumer product, paired with new content initiatives, will provide NBA fans even greater opportunities to engage with NBA TV and our collective portfolio of brands. As sports consumption continues to evolve, we will continue to develop new opportunities for fans to access and engage with premium NBA content,” said Turner Sports executive VP, GM Tina Shah.
“NBA TV is the ultimate destination for around-the-clock access to premium NBA games and programming. We are thrilled to offer more ways than ever to access NBA TV and provide a preview of the future live game viewing experience,” said NBA senior VP Direct to Consumer Chris Benyarko.
NBA TV presents more than 100 nationally televised, live out-of-market games throughout the season. NBA TV also features in-depth coverage and additional live games from the WNBA, NBA G League, and NBA Summer League.
To complement the live-game programming, NBA TV also features studio shows that take fans around the league with live look-ins to games and provides best-in-class analysis and reporting from the network’s roster of experts. Additional programming includes magazine-style shows like ‘Beyond the Paint’; talent-driven franchises, including ‘Shaqtin’ A Fool’; a reimagined pregame show experience with ‘The Warm Up’; and regular nightly shows such as ‘NBA Crunchtime’ and ‘NBA Game Time’ that keeps fans up to date on all the action.
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Fans will also have access to new shows – focused on social conversation, stories, legends and current players surrounding the game – such as The List, #Handles, Say What, High Tops and Basketball Stories.
Fans will have 24/7 access to classic games and throwback NBA programming, including NBA Finals games from 2000-2019 and other archival content. Now NBA fans will be able to make their purchases of both NBA League Pass and NBA TV, as well as add to an existing NBA League Pass subscription, with a one-click option via the NBA App and NBA.com.
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