The sports landscape is rapidly changing, especially in the realm of how fans consume their favorite games. Local aficionados of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche are witnessing a transformative shift in the accessibility of their teams’ games this season. Thanks to a significant collaboration between Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and Tegna, basketball and hockey enthusiasts will have new avenues to experience the action, moving beyond traditional viewing methods.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Nuggets and Avalanche, has recognized the evolving habits of viewers, particularly as more fans drift away from conventional cable packages. This strategic partnership with Tegna is set to bridge the gap, providing local broadcast opportunities and innovatively addressing the streaming demands of a modern audience.
Under this new approach, a total of 20 games for both the Nuggets and Avalanche will be featured on Tegna’s local channels, including 9NEWS and My20. This arrangement not only enhances the visibility of the teams but also ensures that the games remain accessible to a wider audience without the barriers posed by expensive cable subscriptions.
Adding to this multifaceted strategy, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is rolling out a direct-to-consumer streaming service named Altitude+ starting in October. Priced at $19.95 per month, this platform aims to deliver an all-encompassing viewing experience for Denver fans, giving them access to every Nuggets and Avalanche game within the Denver media market.
This move reflects a growing trend where sports franchises understand the necessity of adapting to the preferences of their fan base. By offering a user-friendly and cost-effective streaming service, the organization aims to capture attention from audiences who have previously felt sidelined due to a lack of options.
The genesis of this transition can be traced back to significant distribution challenges that have impacted fans’ viewing experiences. Notably, Altitude Sports, which has historically broadcast games for both the Nuggets and Avalanche, had major fallout with Comcast in 2019 over distribution disagreements. While a settlement was reached in March 2023, it unfortunately did not restore Altitude Sports to Comcast—a hurdle for many local fans.
The situation illustrates the complexities facing regional sports networks today, especially those reliant on traditional cable deals. With services like Bally Sports experiencing disruptions, the response from franchises has been to break away from conventional agreements, leveraging local broadcasters and streaming solutions instead.
The Denver Nuggets and Avalanche are not alone in these changes; they join a growing roster of teams nationwide reevaluating how they reach fans. NHL teams like the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks have similarly opted for over-the-air broadcasts combined with streaming services to ensure they’re meeting the needs of today’s viewers.
In the NBA sphere, franchises like the Mavericks and Pelicans have also made a pivot, moving to local over-the-air networks rather than sticking exclusively with regional sports networks. This trend points to a broader demand for flexibility, as teams strive to ensure their loyal fan bases can continue to follow their favorite athletes without the constraints of traditional cable contracts.
As local sports networks and teams navigate this rapidly changing landscape, the direction they’re choosing seems to resonate well with audiences craving convenient and affordable viewing options. The advent of streaming services allows franchises to maintain a vital connection with their supporters—an essential element in sustaining fan loyalty.
However, while the advent of services like Altitude+ offers a promising solution, it’s important to recognize the delicate balance that must be struck between new offerings and existing broadcasting agreements. With billions of dollars at stake, teams, broadcasters, and streaming services will need to collaborate effectively to uphold their business interests while enhancing fan access.
As the NBA and NHL seasons unfold, Denver’s sports fans are set to enjoy their teams in unprecedented ways. The partnerships and strategies being implemented promise to enhance connectivity between the teams and their supporters—an aspect vital for the future of sports viewing in the digital age. The Nuggets and Avalanche’s focus on accessibility heralds a broader transformation that could redefine the viewing experience for sports enthusiasts across the country.
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