In an era where digital consumption is reshaping the way we engage with sports, the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche are making strides in catering to their fans’ changing preferences. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has taken significant steps this season by introducing fresh broadcasting options in partnership with Tegna. This effort includes local over-the-air broadcasts and a direct-to-consumer streaming service, named Altitude+, revolutionizing how fans in the Denver area can access games.
The shift towards enhancing accessibility is a response to the decline in traditional cable subscriptions. With many fans distancing themselves from pay-TV bundles, the partnership between Kroenke Sports and Tegna comes at a pivotal time. Beginning this season, fans can look forward to broadcasting 20 Nuggets and 20 Avalanche games on Tegna’s local networks, including 9NEWS and My20. This initiative dramatically increases the availability of the teams’ games, bringing them to a broader audience than has been accessible in recent years.
Altitude+, the new streaming service launched by Kroenke Sports, promises an affordable solution for fans, allowing them to watch every game with a subscription priced at $19.95 per month. This direct-to-consumer model not only provides flexibility for fans but also caters to the increasing demand for personalized viewing experiences. This dual approach of local broadcasts and streaming coverage signifies an important evolution in sports media distribution, reflecting a growing trend across various professional leagues.
The recent changes in broadcasting also highlight broader industry challenges faced by regional sports networks (RSNs). The legal journey involving Altitude Sports and Comcast illustrates the difficulties many networks encounter in negotiations with distributors. Since 2019, Comcast customers have found themselves unable to access Altitude Sports due to an unresolved distribution agreement. Although a settlement was reached in March 2023, it did not result in the restoration of Altitude Sports on Comcast, demonstrating the ongoing friction within cable distribution channels.
Additionally, the challenges faced by other regional sports networks, such as Bally Sports, underscore a significant shift in the sports viewing landscape. With Diamond Sports declaring bankruptcy and pulling out from Comcast, it signals a time of reevaluation for both teams and distributors. The move towards establishing partnerships with local broadcasters and creating dedicated streaming services serves as a reactive measure against the decline of traditional media consumption models.
As seen with the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks, many teams are opting for direct agreements with local broadcasters, moving away from traditional RSN relationships. Such transitions enable teams to reach their fans more effectively and directly. The strategy falls in line with a larger trend where franchises are proactively seeking alternative ways to ensure their games remain accessible amidst a rapidly changing media landscape.
The Nuggets and Avalanche’s collaboration with Tegna is not an isolated incident; it mirrors actions taken by teams across both the NBA and NHL. For instance, the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans have recently shifted their game broadcasts to local channels, further validating this movement. The integration of local broadcasting with streaming options aligns with fans’ demands for convenience and viewing flexibility, ultimately serving both sides – the teams and the supporters.
With the rise of platforms like Altitude+, regional sports networks are at a crossroads, having to navigate between maintaining lucrative pay-TV contracts and adapting to modern viewer habits. Companies like YES Network and MSG Networks are also branching into streaming, indicating that more franchises may follow suit as they attempt to reach wider audiences outside traditional means.
However, the balance is delicate; as RSNs try to leverage streaming opportunities, they must remain mindful not to disrupt existing relationships with pay-TV distributors whose fees are vital for funding their broadcasting capabilities. Any misstep could have ripple effects on the financial foundations of these networks and the leagues they represent.
The Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche’s initiatives signal a new chapter in the local sports viewing experience. By embracing accessible broadcasting options and direct-to-consumer streaming, they are not only keeping pace with contemporary viewing habits but are also setting a standard in the industry. The continued transformations in sports media signal that teams, networks, and fans alike must adapt and innovate to thrive in this dynamic and rapidly evolving environment. These moves are paving the way for a more inclusive future for sports fandom, ensuring that loyal supporters are not left behind amidst the technological revolution.
Leave a Reply