NBA Innovates With Micro-streaming
US basketball fans will now be able to purchase a single quarter of a game via the NBA’s streaming service, the league has announced.
The move makes the NBA the first major sports provider to offer “micro-transactions” of this kind, with the quarter-game content set to be priced at under two US dollars.
NBA Digital is also developing an option to enable fans to purchase 10 minutes of real-time game access, with details set to be announced in coming months.
Davis Levy, president of Turner, the NBA’s broadcast partner, commented on the move, saying: “Our partnership with the NBA continues to center on the development of innovative, fan-first products that deliver premium content through an array of touch points and drive consumption across all platforms.
“These game-changing initiatives will provide fans with immediate access to live NBA action in more ways than ever before. Fans will be able to customise the experience to best align with their viewing preferences.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver added: “The new micro-transaction offerings on League Pass will deliver more customized experiences to meet the needs of NBA fans.
“Instead of waiting to watch highlights after a game, fans will be able to enjoy a portion of a game in real-time.”
The move follows previous forward-thinking initiatives from the NBA and Turner Sports, which include the addition a “mobile view” option within its NBA League Pass product, as well as an option for viewing all in-arena entertainment.
NBA Digital has also expanded its offering of live NBA games available in virtual reality, while creating a number of partnerships to strategically place original NBA content across social platforms such as Facebook Watch and Twitter.
