The Portland Trail Blazers have announced an expanded availability of online streaming for their games. For $69.99 you can stream 53 games during the 2011-2012 NBA season. Individual games are available for $2.99 per game.
Here's the much-anticipated press release with the full details of how you can stream games if you do not live in a Comcast-accessible area.
The Trail Blazers announced today that every locally-broadcasted game airing on Comcast SportsNet Northwest (CSN) will be accessible via television or Internet to fans throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. In addition, the team will continue to stream every game broadcasted on KGW.
"Our goal all along has been to provide access to Trail Blazers games for all of our fans," said Trail Blazers President Larry Miller. "Today's announcement is another important step toward achieving that goal while we continue to work with CSN to achieve our mutual goal of expanding its distribution base.
"Through our work with both the NBA and CSN there are now two viewing options for CSN games that will be available to our fan base: television on CSN and live streaming in certain areas outside of CSN's coverage area. We appreciate the patience our fans have shown with us in our efforts to provide greater accessibility."
Fans that live where CSN is unavailable within the NBA-approved Trail Blazers territory will have the option to stream games live on trailblazers.com beginning Sunday, Jan. 1, when the Trail Blazers visit the Los Angeles Clippers. The six locally broadcasted games between Jan. 1 and Jan. 11 will be available on a free trial basis. Starting Friday, Jan. 13 at San Antonio, fans will have the option to purchase games à la carte for $2.99/game, or select the remaining 53 games during the 2011-12 season as a package for $69.99.
Although CSN is available to all TV providers serving the Trail Blazers television territory, certain providers, including DirecTV, Dish Network and Charter Communications, have opted not to carry the network.
Fans outside of the Trail Blazers' TV territory can continue to purchase NBA League Pass, which offers televised and streaming access (including mobile) for $169. There are also options for streaming-only or mobile-only through NBA League Pass. Details and pricing plans are listed on the NBA's website.To find out which option is available in their area, fans need to visit trailblazers.com and enter their zip code. Additionally, fans can read an FAQ, including system requirements, and sign-up for the streaming service by visiting trailblazers.com. The Trail Blazers have partnered with RayV to provide the streaming platform.
Head to this page to check for availability in your area.
The news was first announced on Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen's Twitter account. Allen is currently celebrating the New Years on his "Octopus" superyacht in the Maldives, according to Ahmed Adhshan of Haveeru News Service. Allen was in Portland to attend the game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
Thanks to halo_on and BlazerFanSince1970 who got there first in the FanShots.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter