NBA League Pass

[quidinqui33]

The part that is upsetting is that Stern/the league does not think "Hey let's give back to the fans a bit, and reduce the cost of league pass for die hard fans this year to show we appreciate their support." Instead they charge the same price.  Ridiculous.  I feel like Chris Paul and my trade just got rejected.

Even at the same price though, for basketball junkies, league pass is a good deal as long as the prices stays below $200.

I've had league pass for over 6 years but I am stronly considereing passing up on it this year as well out of principal since the league could not make a good will gesture for the fans and reduce the price a little.  I'm sure I'll be back next year.

Half the games are already on TV, and the other half you can find streaming for free on the web.  There are several websites that do this.  It can be hit and miss, but I have had good luck with it.  I won't post the links on here but just do a google search for free streaming sports...you'll find them.

[FrDrake]

A couple of broadband questions....as of last year, did they offer a choice of home or away broadcasters?  I had the broadband package a few years ago and they would pick the announcers seemingly at random and suddenly I'd be watching the Cs but listening to pathetic homers announce the game from the perspective of New Orleans or Minny.

Also, does league pass still not cover the playoffs?  I hate that.

[quidinqui33]

A couple of broadband questions....as of last year, did they offer a choice of home or away broadcasters?  I had the broadband package a few years ago and they would pick the announcers seemingly at random and suddenly I'd be watching the Cs but listening to pathetic homers announce the game from the perspective of New Orleans or Minny.

Also, does league pass still not cover the playoffs?  I hate that.

On broadband, and even on the TV, they sometimes give you the choice of announcers that you want but it is pretty rare that you get to pick.  I have noticed that with the Celts, they do tend to give you Tommy and Mike more often than not.

Yeah, still no playoffs because all those games are nationally televised.  Also, none of the celting 31 games that are already on TV (including NBA TV) are not available on broadband or leaguepass.

[quidinqui33]

A couple of broadband questions....as of last year, did they offer a choice of home or away broadcasters?  I had the broadband package a few years ago and they would pick the announcers seemingly at random and suddenly I'd be watching the Cs but listening to pathetic homers announce the game from the perspective of New Orleans or Minny.

Also, does league pass still not cover the playoffs?  I hate that.

On broadband, and even on the TV, they sometimes give you the choice of announcers that you want but it is pretty rare that you get to pick.  I have noticed that with the Celts, they do tend to give you Tommy and Mike more often than not.

Yeah, still no playoffs because all those games are nationally televised.  Also, none of the celtics 31 games that are already on national TV (including NBA TV) are available on broadband or leaguepass.  Definitely something to consider because the broadband archive feature cannot be used for these 31+ games.

[FrDrake]

A couple of broadband questions....as of last year, did they offer a choice of home or away broadcasters?  I had the broadband package a few years ago and they would pick the announcers seemingly at random and suddenly I'd be watching the Cs but listening to pathetic homers announce the game from the perspective of New Orleans or Minny.

Also, does league pass still not cover the playoffs?  I hate that.

On broadband, and even on the TV, they sometimes give you the choice of announcers that you want but it is pretty rare that you get to pick.  I have noticed that with the Celts, they do tend to give you Tommy and Mike more often than not.

Yeah, still no playoffs because all those games are nationally televised.  Also, none of the celting 31 games that are already on TV (including NBA TV) are not available on broadband or leaguepass.

And this is why I hate League Pass (but thanks for the info quidinqui33).  They advertise it like you can watch every game, but in reality you get random announcers, no playoffs, and random games are blacked out in favor of TNT or ESPN.  This makes NO sense for the Broadband package since it is for an audience who very likely do not have the cable package available to U.S. viewers.  Bah!

[Moreover]

A couple of broadband questions....as of last year, did they offer a choice of home or away broadcasters?  I had the broadband package a few years ago and they would pick the announcers seemingly at random and suddenly I'd be watching the Cs but listening to pathetic homers announce the game from the perspective of New Orleans or Minny.

Also, does league pass still not cover the playoffs?  I hate that.

On broadband, and even on the TV, they sometimes give you the choice of announcers that you want but it is pretty rare that you get to pick.  I have noticed that with the Celts, they do tend to give you Tommy and Mike more often than not.

Yeah, still no playoffs because all those games are nationally televised.  Also, none of the celting 31 games that are already on TV (including NBA TV) are not available on broadband or leaguepass.

And this is why I hate League Pass (but thanks for the info quidinqui33).  They advertise it like you can watch every game, but in reality you get random announcers, no playoffs, and random games are blacked out in favor of TNT or ESPN.  This makes NO sense for the Broadband package since it is for an audience who very likely do not have the cable package available to U.S. viewers.  Bah!

With international league pass only the games being locally broadcasted - in whatever country you are - are blacked out. And it's fairly easy to circumvent anyway.

[Chris]

100% price for 80% of the games?  Classy move on the NBA's part.

I am curious how much power the NBA has over this, and how much of it comes from the cable companies?

My guess is very little, from what I understand the provider keeps most of the money.

Yeah, this is my thinking too.  I always assumed they have a preset deal, where the providers pay the league a certain amount of money, and then the providers get to set the price for the package (kind of like the regular TV deal, where the Networks pay for the coverage, and then get to sell the advertising).

Now, there is a question whether the contract still required the providers to pay the league as if its an entire season (I would not be surprised if this was worked into it), which is why the providers need to charge full price.  But I doubt this is a unilateral decision by the league.

[Chief]

Guys...

If you're with DirecTv (as I am) - here's some helpful advice (and MANY do this):

- call DirecTv - when the voice prompt comes up say "cancel"

- it will come up again - again, say "cancel"

This takes you directly to their CSR's - someone who has actual authority (they believe you will be canceling some kind of service).  When they quote you a price, just tell them you're not interested and thank them.

ALWAYS BE KIND!!!!!

Now, they might be able to work with you...  

As a 4 year subscriber to DirecTv (who has always paid my bill on time), I've NEVER paid full price for the sports channels.  They will work with you...they have "credits" that each CSR can provide you with.

Just wanting to help out...

I usually do this too. Direct will usually counter with $20 a month credit for 3-4 months. If anyone calls and gets a deal, let the rest of us know. I will probably call on the 23rd.

[Mike-Dub]

No League Pass Broadband for me this year... Not when I can find other ways to watch the C's games online and when if I miss a game and still want to watch it I can just download it.

[jimmehx]

Yep pretty sure i'm not going to do that. Free til early Jan then post all-star the price will drop. Even if it does, NBALP broadband STILL doesn't include any playoff games so that's another +50. Might use just free streams and cope with the horrible quality until playoffs then pay.

[footey]

They usually drop the price once the season starts. I will wait and see.

[snively]

A couple of broadband questions....as of last year, did they offer a choice of home or away broadcasters?  I had the broadband package a few years ago and they would pick the announcers seemingly at random and suddenly I'd be watching the Cs but listening to pathetic homers announce the game from the perspective of New Orleans or Minny.

Also, does league pass still not cover the playoffs?  I hate that.

On broadband, and even on the TV, they sometimes give you the choice of announcers that you want but it is pretty rare that you get to pick.  I have noticed that with the Celts, they do tend to give you Tommy and Mike more often than not.

Yeah, still no playoffs because all those games are nationally televised.  Also, none of the celting 31 games that are already on TV (including NBA TV) are not available on broadband or leaguepass.

Any one know how many games are on NBATV?  I usually buy league pass broadband, and I have basic cable for the rest, but the NBATV games I never get to see.

[RajonRondOWNED]

Does league pass work through a PS3?

I'd rather not have to sit and watch a laptop all night.

Unless something's changed you should be able to use the PS3 browser to get league pass running.

[Kiorrik]

100% price for 80% of the games?  Classy move on the NBA's part.

I called this a while ago :p (I've been calling a lot of stuff right lately. Time for a lottery ticket!)

The NBA needs to make up for lost money. They won't do that by giving freebies.

Also, they need to improve the service. I'm thinking they did.

Then there's the whole thing where people have been CRAVING basketball. They'll dish out whatever to see it. Sure you'll lose one or two 'angry fans', but those probably block you because of the lockout, not because of the high price.

[chicagogreen]

By my count 35 of the 66 games are on non league pass channels, tnt, espn, abc, nbatv, etc.  so, 160 bucks for 30 games....? 

http://espn.go.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/Bos/seasontype/2/boston-celtics

Well, that will at least make me feel better about trying to bargain and threaten my way to a lower price since I just might be willing to walk and I wouldn't be bluffing.