NBA League Pass Broadband?

by dogbert on Dec 4, 2011 10:46 AM PST

I've just learned that our buddies over at Comcast are going to force you to buy the premium service if you want CSN, so I'm considering NBA League Pass Broadband.

Anyone have any experience with this product? The NBA.com website has very few details.

nba.com/leaguepass mentions something about an e-mail sign-up for news on LeaguePass but then there doesn't appear to be any place to sign-up for that e-mail news.

It doesn't even appear to be available yet. They mention some games in HD. If you've had LP Broadband, were the Blazer games generally in HD or not? My experience streaming stuff at various websites like Hulu sometimes it's just fine and other times it's unwatchable.... especially in full screen on an HD TV. How good is the streaming quality for LP Broadband?

The other problem is the blackout of home games in the Portland area. Are the home games in the archives available after the live broadcast, or are they also blacked out ?

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League Pass Broadband quality is typically inferior to that of Hulu or Netflix

They typically have 1-2 games a night in high def, the rest in standard def. The experience is also inferior. Also, if you’re in Portland, you can’t see ANY games on League Pass (broadband or otherwise) regardless of whether the game is home or away. Inside the broadcasting area, they require you to watch on the available Blazer Broadcasting resource.

League Pass (and Broadband) desperately needs a facelift. They’re the only sports Internet service that doesn’t allow devices like TVs to stream directly, something the NHL and MLB (which as a much better, HD-based system) both allow.

Blazer Broadcasting and the NBA sometimes feel like they’re in the dark ages of TV. But at least they give you the option of seeing every game if you have the correct service, which is way better than it used to be.

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 10:52 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

I should have clarified. You can't see any BLAZER games on LPBB if you're in the Portland broadcasting area.

You can still see all the other games.

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

We had QWest as our internet provider

and we were able to see all Blazers games in Downtown Portland last season.

by Sungari on Dec 4, 2011 4:06 PM PST up reply actions

This is great news. The people on the other side of my duplex have Century Link

Perhaps this is not as dire of a situation as I had thought…

Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.

by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Dec 4, 2011 10:28 PM PST up reply actions

Sounds like Qwest had a quirk in their system.

And in that case, congrats :)

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 10:39 PM PST up reply actions

Yes

Let’s not get people’s hopes up. This service is for people who are not interested in their local team. Sad but true.

by JeffePortland on Dec 4, 2011 11:07 PM PST up reply actions

I'll take it.

But I’m not local.

"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man

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by T Darkstar on Dec 5, 2011 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

You can watch the Blazer games when they are NOT in Portland

If you live in Portland and the Blazers are away, you can watch the game on League Pass Broadband (if it’s not nationally broadcast). It’s in the terms of service plus I was able to do this all last season. Not ideal but at least you can see them when they are on the road.

by markgriffin on Dec 5, 2011 6:33 AM PST up reply actions

Is it half price, then, if you live in the market area and agree to only watch Blazer games?

OK, I know that’s a ridiculous assumption, but I’m dyin’ over here!

Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.

by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Dec 5, 2011 10:24 AM PST up reply actions

Here's how it worked for me.

LPB said we can’t play it because it is being played locally. My Dish Network wouldn’t play it on NBA TV because it was being played locally. I paid twice and got to see them nonce because the locally was Comcast. Or maybe the locally in LPB terms meant on NBA TV. I could never get a hold of anyone from either distributor to clarify who the “locally” was.

Oh what fun.

by JeffePortland on Dec 5, 2011 11:24 PM PST up reply actions

"Locally" means that someone has exclusive broadcasting rights within ~150 miles of Portland

That someone is whomever Blazer Broadcasting is providing the rights to; normally that means KGW or Comcast Sportsnet.

by Timmay! on Dec 6, 2011 12:08 AM PST up reply actions

yeah, LPBB has been a big disappointment. I won’t be buying it this year.

by jksnake99 on Dec 4, 2011 12:37 PM PST up reply actions

Actually the international league pass broadband option was much improved last year

With streams up to 3000k. Games archived for 24 hours or “forever” depending on what package you bought. And quick game recaps that were about 4-5 minutes long with rough cuts of all the scenes. Plus DVR-like features with tagged highlights such as scores and dunks to jump to good scenes on the full archives.

The only thing that sucked was it was routinely 30 seconds behind due to encoding, so I had to put the window over game day threads and comment during breaks to not spoil everything for me.

I don’t see a real reason why the NBA shouldn’t roll that out to all customers also in the US, instead of the admittedly pretty crappy RayV peer-to-peer streaming technology that I also had to suffer through the previous two seasons.

by Norsktroll on Dec 4, 2011 1:12 PM PST up reply actions

Oh, they also had a fun split screen technology where you could have up to 4 games running at the same time to quickly switch during breaks

All in all, it was an experience that I can recommend.

by Norsktroll on Dec 4, 2011 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

I'd certainly appreciate such an upgrade. As you noted, the current US-based setup is awful

And thanks for noting RayV, I forgot to note that the NBA forces that product onto your machine in order to watch games. (You can avoid installing it, but it’s a pain)

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 1:38 PM PST up reply actions

Apple TV

Get an Apple TV, that can access League Pass (as well as MLB and NHL). Though, you’re still having a purchase something that an internet capable TV probably shouldn’t need…

by portlandpete on Dec 5, 2011 11:47 AM PST up reply actions

Also, any discussion of how to circumvent the NBA broadcast rules is against the rules here

This is a long-established rule, but it seems worthwhile to note it, since a new season is about to start.

If anyone wishes to discuss the rules, ask for clarification, etc, feel free to mail Dave or your favorite (last favorite?) mod. Thanks!

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 11:18 AM PST reply actions

OK, edited out that part

I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.

by dogbert on Dec 4, 2011 12:16 PM PST up reply actions

No worries!

I’m not mad or anything. Just wanted to make sure the conversation went in the right direction.

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 12:20 PM PST up reply actions

Gosh Timmay!

Now known as “The DeeBo Moderator”

LOL -just kidding

by cavejunctionblazer on Dec 4, 2011 2:12 PM PST up reply actions

what package are they going to make you buy?

I have the sports an entertainment package, which I would assume includes CSN, and it’s like $5.99/month, not too bad. You also get NFL RedZone, which is amazing, and a bunch of other channels

by rip_city_swagger on Dec 4, 2011 11:38 AM PST reply actions

but that option is only available

if you are a premium tier subscriber as I recall. that is the hitch, you can not access the sports and entertainment package from a basic cable package.

"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)

by PDXBuckeye on Dec 4, 2011 12:11 PM PST up reply actions

You certainly would need a cable box or cablecard to get that package.

Though Comcast is pushing everyone to have one of those now anyway.

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 12:13 PM PST up reply actions

I think you can

get the sports package for around ~$6/month with the basic cable package…. for now.

I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.

by dogbert on Dec 4, 2011 12:19 PM PST up reply actions

The news on the service sounds depressing.

I was actually thinking of picking up the LPBB package, but now I might not.

I am not who I think I am.

by prajna on Dec 4, 2011 12:48 PM PST reply actions

International League Pass had a bunch of Blackouts

I live in Canada, and there was a stretch in the second half of the season that about 7 out of 10 Blazer games were blacked out due to some of the games being on TNT, others were being broadcast on some European station so they were blacked out internationally.

It was was really annoying.

by Anim8rguy on Dec 4, 2011 1:24 PM PST reply actions

Ahh yes, I completely forgot to note that, even if you're outside Portland, LPBB doesn't show national TV games

The broadcast rights are such a mess, and the soonest they can be fixed is with the next contract. But the NBA is backwards about TV rights, so they’ll probably continue the current arrangement. It’ll pay more I bet.

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 1:41 PM PST reply actions

I love INTERNATIONAL league pass broadband

by Falcao on Dec 4, 2011 2:31 PM PST reply actions

I ultimately went with Direct TV

Our family cut the cable after last season because at that point I was convinced there would be no 11-12 season. I decided on Direct TV because with bundle discounts its less than half of what comcast would be and I just didn’t think it was worth it. I’ll definitely miss a ton of games since I have a feeling we won’t be on TNT or ESPN much but I’ll still be able to follow the league pretty well and might splurge for league pass BB during their late season special they usually have.

by Blake1984 on Dec 4, 2011 7:57 PM PST reply actions

Doesn't DirecTV ramp up the rates after the initial bundle period ends?

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 10:40 PM PST up reply actions

Ours will go up about 20 bucks

The 2nd year of our two year agreement. Still cheaper than Crapcast and at the end of the year I can switch elsewhere if need be (heres hoping for FIOS TV all over the metro area!)

by Blake1984 on Dec 5, 2011 9:59 AM PST up reply actions

Are you KIDDING me?!

So, I do not have cable TV, nor do I plan to get it. My plan was to get League Pass, but now you are telling me that I can not legally do so simply because I live in Portland? I guess I am going to have to join the masses who are agitated at Comcraps for being a monopoly. If the games sell out, why would they black out games for people who are willing to pay to watch them from home? GRRRRR…

Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.

by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Dec 4, 2011 8:11 PM PST reply actions

Welcome to the world of NBA broadcast blackouts.

Sorry about that.

I believe the Blazers still have a pay-per-game streaming option, and I think they stream games locally for free whenever they’re on KGW. I forget the particulars though.

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 10:41 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks, Timmay! I thought there was some option last year to stream all the games. I'll probably do that.

I’m taking the potatoes out of the cannon and putting them back in the basement. Nothing to see here…

Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.

by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Dec 5, 2011 10:25 AM PST up reply actions

If the game is being streamed locally for free

We try to include the link in the GDT posts. Usually it’s on trailblazers.tv.

by Timmay! on Dec 5, 2011 1:51 PM PST up reply actions

I remember a few of those.

I sure hope there is a legal option to stream games. I can’t understand why some profit seeking sports streaming service won’t just…

Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.

by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Dec 5, 2011 11:23 PM PST up reply actions

Why they would

only stream games that you can watch for free over the air locally is kind of strange.
I guess that is a good idea if you can steam but are too far away to see KGW.

by JeffePortland on Dec 5, 2011 11:29 PM PST up reply actions

I think you've nailed the exact intended audience for that service.

by Timmay! on Dec 6, 2011 12:08 AM PST up reply actions

Does anyone know how much longer the Blazers' current TV deal lasts?

by Blake1984 on Dec 4, 2011 8:16 PM PST reply actions

2017. Yes, seriously.

Of all the contracts the Blazers have signed, I think that might be the worst.

by Timmay! on Dec 4, 2011 10:43 PM PST up reply actions

Considering the Lakers get $200+ million on their next TV deal which exceeds the entire Blazers budget, yes

by Norsktroll on Dec 4, 2011 11:50 PM PST up reply actions

And even if the money in the Comcast deal is good...

it seems really odd that the Blazers want to extend their reach and cover the local market (at least that’s what they give lip service to), while their broadcasting partner provides a product that most people think has good enough quality but doesn’t agree to distribute it widely.

by Norsktroll on Dec 4, 2011 11:52 PM PST up reply actions

I don't think the money is very good

They only signed with Comcast because Fox Sports Northwest declined to renew their contract. Even with Brandon Roy’s arrival at the time, the Blazers were not in a negotiating position of power.

So somehow they probably ended up with a poor-paying long-term contract, that doesn’t expand their visibility around the Northwest. That takes some talent.

by Timmay! on Dec 5, 2011 1:53 PM PST up reply actions

International League Pass is great service

The image quality was very good last season. Additionally, every game of the season was archived so one was able to watch them anytime and as many times as one wished. It’s a shame if they don’t provide the same quality service in the States, as the service was truly excellent.

by Dr. Strangelove on Dec 5, 2011 1:25 AM PST reply actions

League Pass is quirky.

The games you get depend on which market you’re in. Any games that are broadcast on a different channel in your area are blacked out. And area can be very broad.

For example, I live near Fresno. I regularly get blacked out of Kings and Warriors games, even though both those markets are a couple of hundred miles away. I do get Laker and Clipper games pretty consistently though. Also and game on ESPN, ABC, TNT or NBA TV are always blacked out, no matter where you live. So, if you’re in Oregon or Washington, odds are League Pass will black out the Blazers for you almost every game. Maybe sometimes you’ll run into some quirks. But when I brought my laptop up to visit family in Portland, I got to watch Kings and Warrior games, but Portland games were then blacked out.

So where you’re watching makes all the difference on whether NBA LP is worth it for you or not. It’s usually great for me, but that’s because I’m considerably out of the area.

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by T Darkstar on Dec 5, 2011 10:14 AM PST reply actions

Yeah

I had League pass on my phone a couple of years ago and all the blazers games were blacked out (i live in seattle)

by moflow on Dec 5, 2011 12:07 PM PST up reply actions

Seattle is supposed to now broadcast nearly all of them locally if you have Comcast

They show them on CSNNW, and when it’s a KGW game, they should be shown on Universal Sports I believe.

Of course, Comcast hasn’t bothered to set up HD access.

by Timmay! on Dec 5, 2011 1:55 PM PST up reply actions

Some more info on Comcast here

including apparent availability via Verizon FIOS (can anyone confirm this?)

Availability

As of September 2010, Comcast Cable (Oregon and Washington), Ashland TV, BendBroadband, Canby Telcom, Country Cablevision, MINET, Monroe Telephone, Reliance Connects, Scio Cablevision, Verizon FiOS (Portland and Seattle), and Wave Broadband are carrying the channel.4 Canby Telecom has announced plans to discontinue the channel as Comcast has offered a non-negotiable fee increase that will bring the annual per subscriber charge of over $32.5 Canby Telecom has accused Comcast of raising rates way beyond the rate of inflation and industry-wide increases.5

via wikipedia csnnw page

\\\oo///

by Billy Hoyle on Dec 5, 2011 12:47 PM PST reply actions

Oh wow

I had never heard of Wave (http://www.wavebroadband.com) which is apparently based out of Stayton but also available to some Salem residents. I’m reviewing their channel lineup here (pdf) and channel 9 is CSNNW.

I had just cancelled Comcast in Nov when my cable + internet bill hit $175/mo. I can go without tv, but not without Blazers so I’ll be calling Wave here soon. Fingers crossed.

\\oo///

by Billy Hoyle on Dec 5, 2011 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

err

not Stayton. Meant Kirkland :)

\oo///

by Billy Hoyle on Dec 5, 2011 12:53 PM PST up reply actions

Yes Verizon FIOS carries Blazer games.

but you can’t get Verizon FIOS if you have QWEST/Century Link in your neighborhood because…. because…… that would be like competition or capitalism or something.

by JeffePortland on Dec 5, 2011 11:34 PM PST up reply actions