It'll cost you an arm and a leg (or perhaps a finger) to get your hands on tickets to the Grateful Dead's 50th anniversary farewell shows this summer. Fortunately, there's a cheaper alternative for folks who don't mind watching along at home.

Confirming weeks of rumors, the band has officially announced plans to partner with Live Alliance for what's being called the "largest syndication of a live music event in history." All five of the 50th anniversary concerts — set for June 27 and 28 in Santa Clara, Calif., and July 3, 4 and 5 at Chicago's Soldier Field — will be broadcast in high-definition, "available to watch in your home, on your mobile device, in clubs, music venues, bars and movie theaters nationwide (through Fathom Events), and virtually anywhere with access to a screen."

The Soldier Field shows are being aired as a "three-day, 15-hour special" that's scheduled to include hosting duties from CNBC's Steve Liesman along with NBA Hall of Famer and "legendary Deadhead" Bill Walton, as well as a variety of extra content consisting of "taped interviews with special guests, live fan interviews and aerial shots from Soldier Field, a short documentary on the Grateful Dead directed by Justin Kreutzmann, and more."

"This is probably one of, if not the biggest, concert events of all time," enthuses Live Alliance President Nate Parienti in a press release. "To be a part of it is a dream come true. We're thrilled to be able to bring this event to generations of fans all over the world."

Pre-sales for the package begin on May 1 and run through May 15, with all five nights available for $79.95. Further details are expected to be posted at Dead50.net in the days to come.

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