NBA League Pass

The season starts now. I'm sure you all have noticed. I need better access to games. Last season I had to listen on the XM radio in my car. This season I decided to buy the League Pass. The current schedule is still nowhere to be found, but I was looking at last season's and unless I'm freakishly blacked out (I live in Austin, and no Comcast anywhere near here) I should be able to watch at least two thirds of the games.

So I know it's been kicked around a little on here before, but I'd like for people who have had League Pass in the past year or two to share their experiences, what you liked, didn't like, helpful tips, etc. It will help me know what to expect, and may help others who are in a similar situation. There isn't a whole lot of discussion about this elsewhere on the internet and I'm concerned about Comcast's stranglehold on rights to Blazer games.

My subscription (through Dish Network) also includes League Pass Broadband, which I would love to hear more about from those of you who've used it.

Thanks!

over 2 years ago NoiseMekanik 16 comments 0 recs |

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League Pass Broadband is actually farely clear and clean to watch

all be it farely small, you can blow it up to full screen but it gets pretty blurry, better than Justin.tv by far though.

On TV, league pass offers usually the standard def and HD version of the game. Be prepared to have to watch and listen to opposing teams announcers for they usually broadcast the home teams broadcast… This at times will test your mental fortituded. If your watching a game against the Kings in Sac town, forget about HD at least thats the way its been in the past, apparently they aren’t deemed worthy of HD atm. Besides that 100% of the games should be broadcast unless the team nearest you blacks out their game when Portland is visiting.

by Jaedin on Oct 27, 2009 1:15 AM PDT reply actions

You also get the broadband reply

I have the international one, and I don’t go on to BE or anywhere that would have the score until I get home, then watch it commercial free once I get home. Being in the US, I’m sure you’ll get to watch more live games, but every now and then you’ll probably have to miss one (yes honey, I know this is our anniversery, but this is a division game!) and being able to watch it is nice. Last season they ran the games on a loop after they were played, but this season they advertised it as ‘on Demand’. Sucks when you avois everything for hours and then switch it on for the last few seconds of the game. Hopefully it’s a little better this year, or they’re gonna get another letter.

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and this is the best I could come up with.

by einman77 on Oct 27, 2009 5:43 AM PDT reply actions

National TV Games are blacked out, too

FYI

by david1978pdx on Oct 27, 2009 8:11 AM PDT reply actions

Does anyone know if you can share NBA League Pass Broadband with a friend??

I live in Canada and mostly watch Blazer games and my buddy wants to follow Celtics games. Is it possible for us to share one account?? I was thinking about getting the 7 team package for 89.95.

by BlazerFanInWinnipeg on Oct 27, 2009 8:16 AM PDT reply actions

Not sure about Canada

I shared my NBA LP Broadband account with my in-laws in SoCal. Worked fine. But, I think you may encounter some issues outside of the US.

by david1978pdx on Oct 27, 2009 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions

ya there is an international broadband account that is avialble and can't be shared.

not sure if canada qualifies in their terms.

by mandoman10 on Oct 27, 2009 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Can't be shared

as in 2 people can’t use it at the same time from different computers. If you guys agree to stagger you should be fine. But in Canada you might need the international.

It took my two years to come up with an avatar and sig
and this is the best I could come up with.

by einman77 on Oct 27, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I have League Pass

And as of yesterday, didn’t see any games on my guide either. Probably be fixed sometime today. I have had it for the last couple of years and the only games that you won’t see are any potential home games in your local area. For instance I live in Atlanta and the Hawks game is blacked out on League pass (doubt you will have that issue in Austin unless San Antonio is close enough that they may black out those games). Doesn’t matter to me as I went to the game. Otherwise I saw every single game the last two years via League pass or because it was nationally televised.

I recommend (if you have it) that you Tivo or DVR the game and start watching it about 20 minutes into the game. That way you can skip the commericals if you want.

"I saw him in the face" Sergio's quote on the latest alley-oop to Rudy.

by blazermaniac32 on Oct 27, 2009 8:19 AM PDT reply actions

It seems most fans are watching via cable league pass rather than BB

Which surprises me in a way, but deep down I understand most people are not ready for BB. Sad to hear the picture doesn’t stay in the “amazing high definition” they claimed for broadband. The High Def on sites like hulu is very nice. It would also be nice if they would allow you to choose which broadcast to watch. Sometimes I think there are no fans working in management. They just don’t care enough.

by lurtsman on Oct 27, 2009 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Less than 12 hours to tip off

Logging into my account I see a “watch and listen” button. Clicking on “watch now” for league pass broadband takes me back to the order page. It’s already confirmed that I set up my online account yesterday. (I do not have cable tv, just ordering league pass BB choice package)

Is there something wrong, or is this likely to work by the time the game comes on. If I have to find grainy feeds after paying for LPBB I’ll be pretty upset.

by lurtsman on Oct 27, 2009 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions

The same happened to me last night

im thinking that a few hours before tip off it will open. Im going to be really disappointed if i have to go back to the streaming from random sites too

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by noam16 on Oct 27, 2009 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions

If you pay for LP on TV, you get LP BB for free with it!

by david1978pdx on Oct 27, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions

But you have to wait up to 5 business days for it to kick in.

Not a huge deal, but I signed up yesterday through Dish, which I can use right away (tonight!!!), but I won’t be able to LPBB for a few days.

An Oregonian in Texas.

by NoiseMekanik on Oct 27, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

If we ONLY sign up for LPBB

Does it kick in immediately? Seems like it should…

by lurtsman on Oct 27, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions

you need to call in. seriously.

this happened to me last year. but i just called in when i sat down to watch the game and they just jumpstarted it or whatever.

by mandoman10 on Oct 27, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info

San Antonio games might be blacked out. It’s just over an hour from here and Austin stations show a handful games, although not as many as San Antonio stations do. Not a big deal really.

I do that trick to skip commercials all the time with my DVR. That’s one area where Dish Network really shines. Their DVRs (particularly the HD variety) are top-notch. It’s hard to wait sometimes though!

The inclusion of LP Broadband really sold it for me as I work out of town occasionally. Hope those cheap motels have enough bandwidth!

How do Hawks fans take to Blazers fans? They probably don’t see many seeing as how PDX and ATL are so far apart!

An Oregonian in Texas.

by NoiseMekanik on Oct 27, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions