Denver Nuggets and Avalanche Fans Get New Ways to Watch Games This Season

Denver sports fans rejoice! Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), owner of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, is revolutionizing how fans can access their favorite teams’ games. In a strategic partnership with Tegna, a major broadcast station owner, KSE will air a significant portion of the upcoming Nuggets and Avalanche seasons on free local television, while simultaneously launching a direct-to-consumer streaming service, Altitude+. This move addresses the ongoing challenges of regional sports network (RSN) distribution and signifies a broader shift in how professional sports teams are delivering content to their fan bases.

Key Takeaways: A New Era for Denver Sports Viewing

• Free Over-the-Air Broadcasts: Enjoy 20 Nuggets and 20 Avalanche games on Tegna’s free local stations, 9NEWS and My20, eliminating the need for cable subscriptions for select games.
• Altitude+ Streaming Service: KSE launches Altitude+, a direct-to-consumer streaming service, providing access to all Nuggets and Avalanche games for $19.95 per month. This offers a comprehensive alternative for cord-cutters.
• Addressing the Altitude Blackout: The new partnerships aim to resolve the long-standing issue of Altitude Sports’ limited availability, particularly the absence from Comcast and Dish Network, providing much-needed accessibility to a wider audience.
• National Trend: This strategy reflects a larger industry trend among NBA and NHL teams seeking alternative distribution models beyond traditional cable packages. The move highlights the growing dominance of streaming and the impact of RSN bankruptcies on team-viewer relations.

Altitude’s Long-Standing Distribution Issues and the Path to Resolution

For years, Altitude Sports, the regional sports network owned by KSE, faced significant distribution challenges. A high-profile dispute with Comcast resulted in a “blackout” for Comcast subscribers since 2019. While a settlement was reached in March 2023, Altitude Sports remained unavailable on Comcast. This absence severely limited access for a large segment of Denver-area fans. Altitude’s availability was also limited to only DirecTV and FuboTV, along with some limited access on Charter Communications’ Spectrum.

The partnership with Tegna and the launch of Altitude+ directly address this issue, providing fans with multiple avenues to watch their beloved teams. Steve Smith, president of KSE Media Ventures, emphasized this point, stating, “What we’re really focused on is trying to get maximum exposure for our two great teams,” adding that, “this deal really gives people the opportunity to do it however they want.” The introduction of free over-the-air broadcasts on 9NEWS and My20 alongside the Altitude+ streaming service promises to increase accessibility significantly.

The Impact of Diamond Sports Bankruptcy

The difficulties faced by Altitude are not unique. The bankruptcy of Diamond Sports, the parent company of Bally Sports regional sports networks, created a ripple effect across the professional sports landscape. Bally Sports went dark for Comcast subscribers earlier this year, highlighting the fragility of the traditional RSN model. However, a subsequent agreement between Diamond Sports and Comcast restored access to Bally Sports, showcasing the adaptability of the industry but also reinforcing the need for alternative options for teams.

The Rise of Direct-to-Consumer Streaming and Local Broadcasts

The Nuggets and Avalanche’s strategy, mirrored by other teams, represents a clear national trend. Teams are increasingly turning away from the traditional regional sports network model due to the significant challenges it presents to content distribution. The Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks have similarly moved to streaming services (Victory+) and free local over-the-air broadcasts. The Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans have embraced similar deals to maximize accessibility to their fan base, selecting local over-the-air options like Tegna and Gray as distribution partners. The Pelicans previously had aired 10 games through Gray’s stations but now provide all their games, mirroring the Mavericks’ approach.

The Future of Regional Sports Networks

The shift towards direct-to-consumer streaming services and increased utilization of local over-the-air broadcasts signifies a notable paradigm shift in the sports broadcasting industry. This indicates the growing influence of streaming services in delivering sporting events and the willingness of teams to adapt innovative strategies in pursuit of wide fan access. The trend of RSNs adding their own streaming options also reflects this overall change. The YES Network (New York Yankees) and MSG Networks (New York Knicks, New York Rangers) are launching a bundled streaming app in the fall; this illustrates an industry-wide response to viewer trends and network availability concerns. These moves, while innovative, also require careful navigation of existing pay-TV contracts, as the fees from those contracts contribute significantly to the billions of dollars that networks pay leagues to air games.

Financial Considerations and the Future of Sports Broadcasting

The pricing models of these new streaming options are noteworthy. Services like Altitude+ must balance the need to provide a compelling value proposition to cord-cutters and avoid undermining the lucrative contracts that regional sports networks have with traditional pay-TV providers. These contracts remain crucial to the financial health of the networks and the ecosystem of professional sports. However, the evolving viewer preferences combined with shifting economic tides within the industry are constantly reshaping the landscape of sports broadcasting.

In conclusion, the new distribution strategies of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, while impactful for local fans, are representative of a wider trend reshaping how professional sports reach their audiences. The collaborative partnerships, coupled with the bold leap to direct-to-consumer streaming, offer a glimpse into a more flexible and inclusive future for sports broadcasting where accessibility, affordability, and diverse viewing options work cohesively to grow and better serve their fan bases.