Unbiased Ballstreams Review (Ballstreams.com)

Ballstreams gives you access to live HD NBA video streaming for many different devices, from the same people who brought you Hockey Streams (hockeystreams.com). I stumbled upon the site while I was reading reviews for NBA League Pass (NBA LP). NBA LP blacks out all national broadcasts (everything on ESPN, TNT, ABC, or NBA TV) and local broadcast so customers can't watch every game. This and the $199 price tag was a big let down for me. Ballstreams lets you stream all live and old NBA games in HD for a $89.99/year "donation" on your computer, Roku, Boxee, Android, Apple, XBMC, XBox 360, and PS3 device.

BallStreams - Desktop Browser

BallStreams - Full Screen

I was a bit skeptical but for what they're offering it seems like a much better deal than the NBA LP. I tested the service out with a one month membership for $17.49. I was going to test it out with the one day membership for $5.99, but for $5 more I could've done the one week trial ($12.49), and for an additional $5 more I got the month membership ($17.49). The pricing structure is well thought out as I went from testing with a one day membership to a month's membership.


My first impression: I installed the Ballstreams channel to my Roku and watched the Kings vs Blazers game live. The game was streaming the Comcast Sportsnet broadcast (with Sacramento's local commercials too) in 720P. I did experience a few stutters and lag but overall it was not an issue (look at my speed test to see what I am using). The few games I watched so far have about a few seconds delay on my computer but a 30-40 second delay from real time on my Roku but keep in mind NBA LP also has a delay from real time so this is not a big deal.

Speed Test Results

Ballstreams also lets you watch archived games and they usual post the games right after the game is over.

Ballstreams lets you stream through multiple devices at the same time. I am streaming different games on my computer and Roku on one account. You can also stream multiple games at once through their desktop site. I am not sure if they allow multiple IP addresses logged in to one account but from what I read online it does not seem like you can share an account with a friend.

Overall, I am very pleased with my experience with Ballstreams. I would strongly recommend this over NBA LP based on both experience and price. I didn't jump into the one year membership because I was worried about the site getting shut down (I don't know how legal this is; they stream everything from their servers in the Netherlands). This is their first season launch but keep in mind that their other site, Hockeystreams, has been up and running for over 5 years. I will post a follow up review after my membership ends in a few weeks.

For new review (November 2015), read here.

Please share your experience for others to read and feel free to ask me any questions too.