There have been a lot of discussions about the challenges for cable regional sports networks and teams moving to over-the-air networks to broaden their reach. Much of that has centered on the Bally Sports networks and their ongoing bankruptcy process, but the RSN model faces hurdles beyond those Diamond Sports Group-owned networks. A particularly notable case there has been with Colorado RSN Altitude, and there’s now going to be notable change there.
Altitude is owned by Stan Kroenke’s Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, parent of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and NLL’s Colorado Mammoth. (KSE also owns the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Premier League club Arsenal, amongst other teams, but the aforementioned three are particularly notable for Altitude broadcasting rights.) The channel was launched in 2004, and it’s been a notable player in Denver and Colorado sports since then. But it’s faced massive carriage disputes in recent years, making it difficult for fans with many cable, satellite, or virtual multichannel programming distributor (MVPD) packages to get the channel. And, unlike many other RSNs, it hasn’t offered an over-the-top option.
A couple of elements of that are now going to change. On Thursday, KSE announced an agreement with the Tegna-owned Denver NBC affiliate 9News and its sister station My20 (a MyNetwork TV affiliate). That will see 20 games from both the Avalanche and Nuggets carried on those over-the-air networks this coming season, with 10 from each on 9News. Beyond that, KSE also announced a direct-to-consumer streaming option, Altitude+, which will carry all the locally-broadcast games (so the broadcast ones and the ones on the Altitude cable network).
The regular Altitude cable network will still be available on DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and Spectrum packages. But for those who have different MVPDs and can’t get it, there’s now an over-the-top alternative. Pricing there hasn’t yet been announced, but it’s interesting to see that finally offered. Here are some quotes on the move from a release, via George Winslow at TV Technology:
“Thanks to the vision and creativity of my father and our leadership team, the hard work of many across this organization, and a tremendous partner in Tegna, we are thrilled to deliver a comprehensive solution so that our fans can watch all Nuggets and Avs games this season and beyond,” said Josh Kroenke, KSE vice chairman. “As we embark on the 25th season of Ball Arena and not only celebrate the past but look toward the future, it is fitting that we introduce the next evolution of our Altitude Sports network that includes Altitude+ and games on 9NEWS and My20. Thanks to this innovative model, our fans can be with us every step of the way this season in our quest to bring both the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy and the Stanley Cup back to Denver.”
…“We’ve worked with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment for more than 25 years, and we’re thrilled to take our relationship to the next level as the official over-the-air broadcast home of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche,” said Mark Cornetta, senior vice president, media operations, Tegna. “With both teams coming off recent championships, the demand from fans is at an all-time high. Today, there are even more reasons for fans to celebrate with the ability to watch Nuggets and Avs games for free over-the-air.”
This fits in with larger conversations about moves to over-the-air and streaming , as well as conversations about carriage disputes . But it’s particularly interesting to see this happen with Altitude, a non-Bally RSN that has been notably tough for many to get, even with the success of these teams. The Avalanche lifted the Stanley Cup in 2022, and the Nuggets won the NBA title in 2023.
Now, an estimated 3.5 million people in the Denver metropolitan area will be able to access at least these 20 games from each team over the air, and they and others in the teams’ area can get those games and others if they sign up for Altitude+, regardless of if their MVPD carries the cable network. It’s significant to see expanded access there, and while much remains to be seen on Altitude+’s pricing, features, and reliability, having it as an option is something many have long wanted.
[ TV Technology ]
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