Back in June, the Utah Jazz announced both a television deal with Sinclair Broadcast Group that will put non-nationally televised games on over-the-air station KJZZ, as well as the creation of a new media arm called SEG Media (for Smith Entertainment Group, after team owner Ryan Smith) that would bring about a direct-to-consumer streaming service for fans to watch games over the internet.
Then in August, the team revealed that streaming company Kiswe would power its online streaming platform next season, but did not disclose any specifics, such as the cost of the platform to fans, or the in-market boundaries of the service.
On Wednesday morning, though, the long-sought details were finally disclosed.
SEG Media both announced and officially launched Jazz+, which will include live games, exclusive footage, and other original video-on-demand (VOD) content.
Subscriptions to Jazz+ are available now at UtahJazz.com/JazzPlus. Some original programming is available immediately.
An annual subscription (it lasts for a full year as opposed to an NBA season, owing to the extra content) is priced at $125.50, which, accounting for 80-plus preseason and regular-season games, works out to less than $1.50 per game.
Annual subscription purchases made today through Oct. 24 also include two upper-bowl tickets to one Jazz game at the Delta Center during the 2023-24 season (some restrictions apply), as well as a Jazz T-shirt and hat.
An annual subscription made from Oct. 25 (the day of the team’s season opener vs. the Sacramento Kings) and beyond will still cost $125.50, but will come without the game tickets and merch.
Monthly subscriptions are available for $15.50. Annual and monthly subscriptions include access to stream live and on-demand games, as well as all other available content.
There is also a pay-per-view (PPV) option, offering single-game purchases for $5, which will launch Oct. 25.
(Courtesy of SEG Media) The Jazz+ streaming service, unveiled Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, is available via single-game, monthly, or annual plans, and will feature live games and replays (including in Spanish), exclusive alternative broadcasts, original programming, and behind-the-scenes content, highlights, and extras.
“Creating the best fan experience is top of mind in everything we do. This season, we have so many reasons to celebrate being a Utah Jazz fan — from the return of Delta Center and our 50th anniversary season to the launch of Jazz+ and the ability for anyone in Utah to watch Jazz games on KJZZ,” Smith said in a statement. “With Jazz+, we have created 24/7 digital access to the team. We are so excited that all Utahns can be with us for every minute of the action.”
Jazz+ will be available to all 3.3 million-plus Utahns, as well as most fans who live within the team’s broadcast footprint, which includes areas of Idaho and Wyoming.
Once purchased, the streaming service can be accessed via UtahJazzPlus.com, and also through the Jazz app. As of Oct. 25, Jazz+ will also be available through Android, Apple, Roku, and Samsung.
The Jazz+ programming lineup will focus on four areas of content:
• Live games and full-length replays: All Jazz games not broadcast on national television will be accessible, beginning with the team’s Oct. 8 preseason opener vs. the Clippers in Hawaii. Live game streams will include the Utah Jazz pre- and postgame shows, and the option to access game play-by-play and commentary in Spanish. Fans will have the ability to rewatch every locally televised game in its entirety, with VOD replays available following the conclusion of each regular-season game.
• SEG Media original shows: Wednesday’s debut comes with never-before-seen, original shows created by SEG Media exclusively for Jazz+ subscribers. At launch, these Jazz+ shows range from “Shoot the Shot with Coach Hardy” (an interview-style shooting competition with special guests); “Utah Sights & Bites” (a look at player- and fan-favorite spots); “Meet the Coaches” (an interview series introducing the Utah Jazz coaching staff); and others. More exclusive content — primarily featuring behind-the-scenes footage with the team, coaching staff, front office, and ownership — will be announced and released as the season progresses.
• Behind-the-scenes content, highlights, and extras: A continuously expanding library of content will be available throughout the year. Available now are an extended version of Walker Kessler’s Summer 2023 Junior Jazz Road Trip, a Karl Malone highlights reel, and a narrated look at the rookies’ first days with the Jazz after the 2023 NBA draft. Later on, the library will feature new content including teasers for the team’s 50th season documentary (to premiere on Jazz+ in November), extended clips of behind-the-scenes moments with the team, condensed games with commentary, historic player mixtapes, and more.
• Exclusive alternative broadcasts: During select games, including each of the five “Decade Nights” designated as part of the Utah Jazz’s 50th anniversary season, Jazz+ will offer alternative broadcast streams featuring live commentary from Jazz alumni and other notable personalities.
Regular broadcasts will feature longtime Jazz play-by-play announcer Craig Bolerjack, with Thurl Bailey and Holly Rowe as color commentators. Michael Smith and Alema Harrington will continue to host the pre- and postgame segments.
The new streaming service is intended to enable the team to reach more fans, especially younger ones who have “cut the cord” and are without traditional television capabilities.
Still, for those who don’t want to use the streaming service, games will be broadcast over the air on KJZZ (as they were in the 1990s and early 2000s), with Sinclair also able to put select games on its main station, KUTV.
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