The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful and storied franchises in the NBA. They have won 16 championships and are consistently one of the top teams in the league. This success has made them one of the most popular teams in the world and fans from all over the world tune in to watch their games. However, YouTube TV recently blacked out coverage of Lakers games in certain markets, leaving fans confused and frustrated. In this article, we will explore why Lakers games are blacked out on YouTube TV.
What is Blackout?
Blackout is a term used to describe when a particular game or broadcast is unavailable in a particular area. This can be due to various reasons such as rights to the broadcast, local regulations, or other contractual agreements. In the case of YouTube TV, the blackout occurs because of local broadcast rights agreements.
Why are Lakers Games Blacked Out on YouTube TV?
The primary reason why Lakers games are blacked out on YouTube TV is because of the local broadcast rights agreements. Each NBA team has exclusive rights to their local broadcasts, meaning that the local affiliate station has the rights to broadcast the games in their market. YouTube TV is not allowed to broadcast these games in these markets due to the local rights agreement.
What Areas are Affected by Lakers Blackout?
The areas affected by the Lakers blackout are primarily the areas in the Los Angeles area. This includes the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Orange County, and the surrounding areas. This blackout also applies to any areas within the Lakers local broadcast area, which includes parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii.
What Alternatives are Available?
Although YouTube TV is blacking out Lakers games in certain areas, there are still several alternatives available for fans who want to watch the games. The most popular option is to purchase the NBA League Pass, which allows fans to watch any game from any team in the league. This service is available on a variety of different platforms, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku.
What Other Teams Have Blackout Restrictions?
The Lakers are not the only team with blackout restrictions on YouTube TV. Several other teams also have blackout restrictions, including the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Houston Rockets. These teams also have exclusive broadcast rights in their local markets, so YouTube TV is unable to broadcast their games in those markets.
Why is YouTube TV Not Allowed to Broadcast Games?
The main reason why YouTube TV is not allowed to broadcast NBA games is because of the local broadcast rights agreements. These agreements are in place to ensure that local affiliates are able to broadcast games in their markets. YouTube TV is not allowed to broadcast these games in those markets due to the existing agreements.
What Impact Does the Blackout Have on Fans?
The blackout of Lakers games on YouTube TV has had a significant impact on fans in the affected areas. Many fans rely on YouTube TV to watch the games, and the blackout has left them unable to watch their favorite team. This has been particularly frustrating for fans who live in the Lakers local broadcast area, as they are unable to watch the games at all.
What Changes Have Been Made?
In response to the outcry from fans, YouTube TV recently announced that they would be making some changes to address the blackout issue. The company has stated that they are working with the NBA and local broadcast affiliates to negotiate new agreements that will allow them to broadcast games in the affected areas.
Conclusion
The blackout of Lakers games on YouTube TV has been a major source of frustration for fans in the affected areas. The blackout is the result of local broadcast rights agreements, and YouTube TV is not allowed to broadcast the games in those areas. However, YouTube TV has recently announced that they are working to negotiate new agreements that will allow them to broadcast the games in the affected areas.