A month after cutting ties with Root Sports Northwest, the Portland Trail Blazers have introduced a new broadcasting plan they say will reach more fans than ever before.
On Monday, the Blazers and Sinclair Broadcast Group announced the launch of Rip City Television Network, which includes “BlazerVision,” a direct-to-consumer streaming option.
“Launching the Rip City Television Network and BlazerVision is a turning point for our fans,” said Dewayne Hankins, President of Business Operations, Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter. “We’ve put our fans first and started a new chapter, making it easier than ever to enjoy Trail Blazers basketball. Whether on TV or streaming with BlazerVision, we believe this is the best way to create lifelong fans and keep them connected. This is a big win for all of Rip City.”
Perhaps most importantly for the citizens of Portland, Oregon, non-exclusive Blazers games will be broadcast in the city for the first time since 2017 with ABC affiliate KATU showing them starting next season. Games will also be broadcast on KUNP, a local Spanish-language channel that will be converted to an English-based station starting Jan. 1.
The franchise’s games will also be available on linear TV in Eugene, Medford, Medford, Yakima, and Seattle. The full list of affiliates can be found here.
Portland fans in Oregon and Washington will be able to watch via BlazerVision through NBA.com and the NBA app. The DTC service will cost $19.99/month for $120/year and anyone who signs up by Nov. 1 will get two 300-level tickets to a select Blazers game. The service will also feature access to on-demand replays, classic Portland games, and exclusive content.
Portland also announced that the entire Blazers broadcast team, including Kevin Calabro, Lamar Hurd, Brooke Olzendam, Michael Holton, Neil Everett, Jamie Hudson, Terry Porter, and Tom Haberstroh, would return for the 2024-25 season.
The Blazers join the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz as NBA teams that have launched DTC services in the past year.
“I think this was a natural transition,” Hankins told Oregon Live regarding their move away from a regional sports network. “I think you’re seeing it across the RSN industry as other teams are going through their situations.”
[OregonLive, KGW8]
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.