Jj1881
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Apple TV NBA app does not work ('NBA is unavailable - try again later')

I recebtly bought an NBA League Pass Via the NBA Apple TV app. After watching one game I have never been able to successfully open the app unless I conolwtely reset or restore the Apple TV. Even then, the NBA app will only open successfully directly after a reset, and even then will not always connect to iTunes to restore my purchase. When trying to open the app I continually get the message 'NBA is unavailable - try again later'. All other apps are working perfectly. I have set my region to Australia. Factory reset through iTunes vis direct Mac connection - still no good. Has anyone else encountered this or have any suggestions?

Apple TV (3rd generation)

Posted on Nov 13, 2015 6:56 PM

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Jj1881

Q: Apple TV NBA app does not work ('NBA is unavailable - try again later')

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  • Helpful answers

  • by trace.71,Helpful

    trace.71 trace.71 Nov 15, 2015 1:06 PM in response to Jj1881
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 15, 2015 1:06 PM in response to Jj1881

    I have had the same problem. Previously the NBA app didn't appear to be available in Aus, but after the last update, it allowed us to subscribe. We successfully started watching available games on that day. When we came to use the app the next day, it wouldn't even load a menu, just an error message stating  'NBA is unavailable. try again later'. We tried a few times over the day and again today but the same message. I reported the problem to Apple. They replied saying they have refunded the subscription so I can try re-subscribing, but the app still continues to have the same error message. I've contacted the live chat at NBA support but they couldn't help either, just suggested I log into the app and check the user name and password is correct but that can't be done when you can't get past the error message. Feeling your frustration! 

  • by Jj1881,

    Jj1881 Jj1881 Nov 15, 2015 1:10 PM in response to trace.71
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 15, 2015 1:10 PM in response to trace.71

    Hey thanks for letting me know. Please keep me posted if you find any fix for this and I'll do the same. It's odd that the app will work for me sometime after a restore and sometimes not. Very frustrating, particularly after you've already paid for a subscription!

  • by trace.71,

    trace.71 trace.71 Nov 16, 2015 5:12 AM in response to Jj1881
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 16, 2015 5:12 AM in response to Jj1881

    I reported the issue through the link in the email you receive after purchasing the app, they refunded the subscription straight away. So if you aren't using it on another device maybe get a refund. I still have the same error message today. Will let you know if I can figure anything out

  • by b0ycy,

    b0ycy b0ycy Jan 1, 2016 4:33 PM in response to trace.71
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2016 4:33 PM in response to trace.71

    I'm getting the same problem now.  The app has worked fine for a long time, now I get the 'NBA is unavailable. try again later' every time

     

    My NBA account works fine on iPhone, iPad and Mac, just not on the Apple TV (the main place I want to watch the NBA).

     

    Hoping Apple can get us an update from the NBA app support team?  Pretty Please?

  • by EDimNETZ,

    EDimNETZ EDimNETZ Jan 8, 2016 8:09 AM in response to b0ycy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 8, 2016 8:09 AM in response to b0ycy

    Having the same problem. Tried everything - this is the quickest fix, when it happens: Delete the NBA app from Apple TV and redownload from the App Store. Then restore your purchase/league pass inside the app.

     

    The 3 steps in detail:

    1. Delete NBA app -> go to Settings -> General -> Manage Storage -> NBA.app -> click trash icon
    2. Redownload NBA app -> Apple Store -> NBA app -> click
    3. Restore Purchase inside NBA app -> League Pass -> "Restore from iTunes Account"


    (The third step is inside the german NBA app, might look different for other countries/NBA apps)

    This is unfortunately no solution! But it is (for me) the quickest way to get the app working again ... hope this helps.

  • by Polo Miller,

    Polo Miller Polo Miller Mar 11, 2016 12:13 PM in response to EDimNETZ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 12:13 PM in response to EDimNETZ

    Interesting: I tried to follow these steps and when I want to restore my League Pass I’m getting an error message stating “Unable to connect to the iTunes Store”. Ever had that? (I didn't have any trouble connecting to the App Store to redownload the NBA app itself 10 seconds earlier.)

  • by deedubbellyou,

    deedubbellyou deedubbellyou Apr 23, 2016 5:24 AM in response to Jj1881
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 23, 2016 5:24 AM in response to Jj1881

    I just had the same thing - NBA told me to get a refund and subscribe using my computer and then go in and link my account within the app. So far if looks to have worked...

     

    I have a theory. Might seem a bit far fetched but who knows...

     

    Remember when Spotify asked us to all unsubscribe and then resubscribe through the web app so that Apple wasn't getting a cut?

    http://thenextweb.com/insider/2015/07/08/spotify-is-actively-encouraging-ios-use rs-to-stop-paying-for-streaming-via-itun…

     

    All the people here signed up using their iTunes account for billing but its actually cheaper if you had signed up direct with NBA, and NBA gets 100% of the $$$. The guy I spoke to at NBA was pretty quick to encourage me to ask for a refund and resign up online - he went as far as 100% confirming the app would work if i did it that way... He hardly tried to diagnose the issue.