Spectrum Announces New Streaming Service To Watch Lakers Without Cable Or Satellite

Low-key earth-shattering news.

Just two games into your 1-1 Los Angeles Lakers' 2023-24 season, their local broadcasters have joined the world of cord-cutters.

The Lakers took to their official site to announce, via press release, that LA's longtime cable home in-state, Spectrum SportsNet, is launching a streaming subscription service for local fans who lack cable or satellite TV plans.

Fans will be able to procure a subscription to the new service, Spectrum SportsNet+, starting today, for the relatively low cost of $19.99. Starting this Sunday, October 29th for LA's matchup with its Pacific Division rival the Sacramento Kings, fans will be able to watch all regular season LA bouts moving forward, in addition to pre- and postgame broadcasts from Spectrum's Emmy-winning cadre of expert broadcasters, including Lakers legends like James Worthy and Robert Horry.

“With the start of the NBA regular season, the launch of Spectrum SportsNet+ will allow even more fans to enjoy live Lakers games and in-depth, unique coverage of their favorite team, with or without a pay TV subscription,” Spectrum's Senior Vice President and General Manager Dan Finnerty is quoted as saying in the presser. “By offering a variety of packages, we’re giving fans more choice and flexibility and taking another step towards evolving the Regional Sports Network model in this new era of sports viewing.”

This is a terrific, innovative, and perhaps inevitable step.

With exorbitant cable subscription packages alienating cash-strapped fans, folks have abandoned the traditional television model, in droves, for streaming alternatives. Sports are slowly moving away from TV proper, too. 

“This new service gives Lakers fans another way to watch their favorite team in action on the court," Lakers President of Business Operations Tim Harris commented, per the article. “The launch of Spectrum SportsNet+ brings the premium, in-depth coverage, analysis and behind-the-scenes content to more fans across the region, allowing us to reach more people every day and grow the next generation of Lakers fans.”

The Phoenix Suns avoided a middleman entirely, creating a straight-to-consumer streaming called "Suns Live" at the start of the season. That kicked off this wave of interest, and it's exciting to see the Lakers' broadcast partners be nimble enough to pivot to this strategy early on in the year.

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