NBC Sports Regional Networks is launching its first direct-to-consumer streaming product, NBC Sports Gold’s “Blazers Pass,” which is offering 15 Portland Trail Blazers games for fans living in “Blazers territory.”
Per NBA rules, the availability of the streaming product will be limited to Oregon and Washington. An NBC Sports spokesperson said the company doesn’t currently have plans to offer a similar product for any other NBA teams.
NBC Sports Northwest will still offer its 77 games this season via broadcast and streaming through its TV Everywhere app, but the new DTC product allows cord cutters access to at least some of the games.
The first game available with the pass is a Dec. 11 matchup featuring the Trail Blazers against the Golden State Warriors.
The “Blazers Pass” is available now for $34.99 for the full 15-game package, and NBC Sports said that if it’s purchased by Dec. 1, customers will get an introductory purchase price of $31.50.
RELATED: Comcast rebrands ‘SportsNet' channels as ‘NBC Sports’
“When we set out to renew our rights last year, distribution was a top priority,” said David Preschlack, president of NBC Sports Regional Networks and Platform and Content Strategy, in a statement. “In today’s media environment, fans have the ability to follow their favorite teams in a variety of ways. We’re pleased to offer Rip City this new DTC product, so that fans can follow Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic, and the team during key games. In addition, we’re pleased to offer NBC Sports Northwest customers access to more games than ever before.”
“NBC Sports Regional Networks has worked hard to make our games accessible to our passionate fan base,” said Chris McGowan, president and CEO of the Trail Blazers, in a statement. “This DTC offering is another example of our two organizations working together to provide a way for all fans in the region to watch across any platform. We continue to make access to our games a top priority.”
“Blazers Pass” subscribers get a complimentary gift package, consisting of a Blazers hat and other branded items, and are entered into a monthly drawing for a chance to win a pair of tickets for a courtside experience to a home game.
The 15 games available with “Blazers Pass” are:
- Dec. 11 – vs. Golden State Warriors
- Dec. 23 – vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Jan. 5 – vs. Atlanta Hawks
- Jan. 10 – vs. Houston Rockets
- Jan. 24 – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jan. 26 – vs. Dallas Mavericks
- Jan. 31 – vs. Chicago Bulls
- Feb. 2 – vs. Toronto Raptors
- Feb. 23 – vs. Utah Jazz
- March 5 – vs. Lakers
- March 9 – vs. Warriors
- March 23 – vs. Boston Celtics
- March 28 – vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- April 7 – vs. San Antonio Spurs
- April 9 – vs. Denver Nuggets