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Local fans of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche will have new options to watch their teams’ games this season. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns both teams along with Altitude, is teaming up with Tegna to broadcast a portion of Avalanche and Nuggets games on local over-the-air channels. Additionally, a direct-to-consumer streaming service called Altitude+ will be launched in October, offering fans in the Denver market access to all games for $19.95 per month.

With the NHL season starting on Oct. 4 and the NBA season on Oct. 22, the partnership with Tegna and the introduction of the streaming service come as teams seek ways to reach fans who are moving away from traditional pay TV bundles. Altitude Sports, the regional network where games are usually aired, has faced availability challenges with cable providers like Comcast and Dish since 2019. The new broadcasting partnership and streaming service aim to address these issues for fans in Denver.

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s President, Steve Smith, emphasized the focus on maximizing exposure for the teams with these new offerings. Altitude Sports previously sued Comcast, leading to a blackout for Comcast customers, but a settlement in March 2023 did not restore Altitude on Comcast. The bankruptcy of Diamond Sports impacted Bally Sports regional networks, causing disruptions for Comcast customers earlier this year, though a resolution was reached in July.

In light of these challenges, teams like the Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Mavericks, and New Orleans Pelicans have sought alternative broadcasting options through over-the-air channels and streaming services. Regional sports networks are also adapting by offering streaming choices to cater to changing viewing habits while maintaining relationships with pay TV providers.

The evolving landscape of sports broadcasting underscores the importance of finding new ways to deliver content to fans, ensuring accessibility and engagement without compromising established business models.

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