The NBA is testing a new live streaming option that will allow fans to watch the fourth quarter of games for just 99 cents.
The NBA is one of the most progressive leagues in the world in terms of utilizing technology, and with tests for additional live streaming offerings, the league is apparently continuing that trend.
NBA Tests Live Streaming For 4th Quarters
For their streaming options, NBA fans may choose to sign up for League Pass, the season-long package that covers all 30 teams. They can also select from the offerings of NBA Digital, which includes team-specific subscriptions and the option to only pay for certain games.
The NBA, however, is reportedly testing another option through its NBA app.
Vasu Kulkarni, the managing partner for Courtside Ventures, said on Twitter that he received a notification from the NBA app, offering him to watch the fourth quarter of a recent game between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder for 99 cents.
The NBA has not yet officially announced the offering, so it appears that it is currently testing the feature with select users through its app.
According to The Verge, NBA commissioner Adam Silver hinted at this feature during CES 2016.
"I think you're going to get to the point where somebody wants to watch the last five minutes of the game, and they go click, they'll pay a set price for five minutes as opposed to what they would pay for two hours of the game," Silver said.
Then, at the Code Commerce event of Recode last year, Silver said that he wanted the NBA's live stream offerings to be more like video game streaming service Twitch. Micro-payments to watch the fourth quarter of certain games certainly fits the bill.
The fourth quarter of NBA games, especially in close matches, have the most memorable moments. Offering basketball fans to watch it live for just 99 cents looks like a good deal.
The feature still being tested at the moment, so there is no assurance that the price will remain the same once it rolls out to the general public. The NBA may charge higher during important games in the upcoming NBA Playoffs. At 99 cents, however, it will attract fans to grab this option instead of having to look for illegal live streams.
NBA And Tech
Recent tech news involving the NBA include a team-up between Sony and Oklahoma City Thunder star forward Paul George for the PG-2 sneakers that have a PlayStation theme complete with LED lights. The NBA also entered a partnership with mixed reality company Magic Leap.
Meanwhile, Houston Rockets star guard and 2018 MVP candidate James Harden played a part in confirming the next game in the Call of Duty series as Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
