NBC Sports Regional Networks is offering a "direct-to-consumer product targeted to displaced Philadelphia sports fans" in the form of the “Philly Pass,” according to Jeff Blumenthal of the PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL. The product "allows fans outside of the network’s Philadelphia territory to access NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Eagles, Phillies and Sixers pre- and post-game programs as well as weekday sports programs" and documentaries. NBC Sports Philadelphia President Brian Monihan said that NBC Sports “conducted research that determined there are 3.8 million Philadelphia sports fans living outside the region," and about 20% of those “describe themselves as avid fans who attend games when the Philadelphia franchise visit their hometowns.” Games themselves and any coverage of the Flyers are not included in the package because NHL rules do “not allow games or post or pre game coverage to be viewed out of market.” There is “no separate advertising on Philly Pass from television, which means revenue is tied to subscribers only” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/27). VARIETY’s Todd Spangler notes the pass, which costs $29.99 per year or $3.99 per month, is “part of the NBC Sport Gold suite of direct-to-consumer live-streaming packages.” This is the “second move into the over-the-top streaming space, but it’s very different from its first foray, ‘Blazers Pass.’” Launched in November ’17, NBC Sports Gold “Blazers Pass," which costs $34.99 per season, “provides select” Trail Blazers games live-streaming “anywhere in the U.S. -- although that plan is available only to residents in the Portland market, pursuant to NBA restrictions” (VARIETY.com, 9/27).
