"The Price of NBA Streaming Services"

As the NBA prepares for another season, ushering in a new digital era 
highlights what fans are concerned about: prices. Everything is 
streamed across multiple platforms and with the second biggest sport in 
North America, fans are divided as to how increasingly packages are 
being thrown at them.

In the old way, NBA games could be watched on TNT, ESPN, NBATV 
and your team's local broadcast channel. But now, content has spaced 
out to the likes of ABC/ESPN, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video. With a 
new schedule comes higher prices for these steaming platforms. Fans 
are divided over what used to be included in a basic cable plan; but now 
find themselves weighing if it's ideal to subscribe for all these platforms. 

Digital media has grown over the last six years since Covid-19. 
Launching of podcasts on YouTube Channels, independent media has 
given fans who want better coverage of their teams. For the NBA, new 
tv deals and streaming platforms to cash in on ramping up their content 
for viewers. With the rising costs, Silver recognizes the expenses it 
costs fans.

NBA games spaced out across multiple platforms, it will be expensive 
on a yearly basis. Rather fans pay monthly or yearly subscriptions, the 
casual fan will buy the bare minimum and live with commercials during 
their sports. Paying for more is higher costs, meaning if you purchase 
an ad free package which includes a continuation through timeouts, 
halftime show and postgame entertainment. I'll say this as an example 
of this particular platform will be roughly $99.99 for the whole season. A 
basic package may run you $49.99 and whatnot. If you've already got 

the streaming platforms for NFL, an additional price may increase your 
subscription.

Here's where the annoying part is in play: right before NBA season 
starts, these platforms will offer a bundle package to help the costs. A 
free trial for a few months and pay the full subscription once it runs out. 
Just like say AppleTV, users are given a three month trial and cancel 
anytime before the subscription prices take effect. Fans have access to 
social media for highlights of their favorite teams.

For those of us who still watch broadcasts on television, it's a change of 
pace with streaming services. What used to be a few dollars a month 
will triple with new contracts with major platforms. Yes, the digital media 
era has blossomed and ushering newfound fans viewing NBA content. 
But it's the old school demographic who'll have their diatribes about 
paying higher prices for subscriptions. 

Adam Silver faces an uphill battle luring fans into purchasing NBA 
content on streaming platforms. It's a double edge sword in keeping 
fans interested in the sport. Once you invest multiple platforms, making 
the most of each one comes with a price tag. Fans can only hope 
primetime games are entertaining; while featuring the big market teams 
in Los Angeles, New York and Boston. Other than that, there's no other 
reason to pay premium money for lame duck games.