NBA League Pass - Games Missing

[rocketdriver2019]

Is anyone else having issues with missing games on NBA League Pass?

I'm trying to watch the Blazers/Pelicans game this evening (Oct 25) and none of the NBA League Pass channels on Bell are showing it.  I had to do a free trail subscription on the NBA app to watch the game.  This isn't the first time one of the games I was interested in isn't showing on Bell NBA League pass this season.  

It's an out of market game so it shouldn't be blacked out.  It's also not being shown on TSN or Sportsnet, NBA TV Canada, or any of the other channels.

Bell:  what's going on here?  We pay a lot of money for NBA League Pass, all the games should be available except the Raptors ones or ones also shown on other available channels.  

Thanks.

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Day & Welcome to the.Bell Community Forum.

Every NBA game is available live with NBA League Pass in every country except the US and Canada due to blackouts. Blackout restrictions exist because local and national content providers have certain exclusive rights to televise live games and content. 

NBA League Pass blackouts in the U.S. and Canada result from exclusive streaming rights based on geographical restrictions of live games. This is not something that is within Bell Media's control. These blackouts may also occur because local TV providers have exclusive rights to air live games within certain areas.

I have included the following web link that will provide you with further viewing details.

League Pass Blackouts – NBA Help Center

Take care.

[rocketdriver2019]

Yes I saw that on the website.  That still doesn’t answer why the NBA app didn’t have any issue showing me the game but Bell didn’t carry it.  Are the restrictions not based on location/market and therefore should be the same on both platforms?  Unfortunately I’m unwilling to pay for NBA League Pass twice so I did a free subscription on the app for the game then immediately cancelled.  

Are you perhaps suggesting that in the future I don’t use Bell for NBA League Pass but rather get it directly from the NBA so I can be assured access to all out of market games?  Because that’s the direction I’m heading if I can’t see all the out of market games I want to watch.  

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

That is not what I am suggesting. It is the NBA that ultimately makes the final decision on what is being viewed & where. E.g. Local, regional, national, playoffs, etc. This also includes how it is being viewed.

Blackout restrictions include your local NBA team(s) and all nationally televised games. Blacked-out games will be available for viewing after the game has concluded.

Blackouts are specific to your current location, so if your location changes, your blackout restrictions for live, locally televised games will also change.

In addition to local and national broadcast blackouts, Canadian and US fans cannot access All-Star Weekend or the Playoffs after round 1 on NBA League Pass, as these events will be shown on TV in local markets.

You should be able to view games that are blacked out on NBA League Pass on a regional sports network in your area, NBA TV on your cable provider, or a national TV network such as TNT, ESPN, ABC, Sportsnet or TSN.

This is not something that is within Bell Media's control. This would be part of the NBA official licensing agreement. If you require further clarification, I can only suggest that you contact the public relations for the NBA.

Here is the web link for NBA Contact Centre: https://contact.nba.com

Take care.

[rocketdriver2019]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I ended up subscribing to league pass directly with the NBA app (and leaving Bell entirely, migrating over to Beanfield, so I won't be able to post here too much longer).  I can get every single game now:  the ones on TSN/SN/NBATV via Beanfield and all the rest via the NBA app.  So problem solved, I guess.

For NBA fans:  I don't recommend getting League Pass via Bell.  Do it directly on the NBA app.  Combined with your sports subscription on Bell (or whatever other provider), you'll get all the games.

[Paris1]

Is anyone else having issues with missing games on NBA League Pass in Canada tonight (November 20)? Could it be a blackout?

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Every NBA game is available live with NBA League Pass in every country except the US and Canada due to blackouts. Blackout restrictions exist because local and national content providers have certain exclusive rights to televise live games and content. 

NBA League Pass blackouts in the U.S. and Canada result from exclusive streaming rights based on geographical restrictions of live games. This is not something that is within Bell Media's control. These blackouts may also occur because local TV providers have exclusive rights to air live games within certain areas.

You should be able to view games that are blacked out on NBA League Pass on a regional sports network in your area, NBA TV on your TV provider, or a national TV network such as Sportsnet or TSN.

I have included the following web link that will provide you with further viewing details.

League Pass Blackouts – NBA Help Center

There were two live games broadcast on Fibe TV last evening.

• Philadelphia 76's vs Milwaukee Bucks: SN1-1408, SN1- 4K
• Atlanta Hawks vs San Antonio Spurs: NBAHD - 1415

I have included the following NBA Regional Blackout schedule for Canada.

NBA Schedule - NBA Games & Events

Take care.