Altitude Sports network will continue to carry local games for subscribers of DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, and Spectrum TV
On Thursday, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) announced plans for the in-market distribution of games for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.
The company signed a broadcast rights agreement with TEGNA to deliver 20 games each of the Nuggets and Avalanche free over-the-air on Denver’s 9NEWS (KUSA-TV) and My20 (KTVD-TV). Additionally, KSE announced a new subscription-based direct-to-consumer platform, Altitude+ where any game produced by Altitude Sports will be available to stream.
“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,” KSE Vice Chairman Josh Kroenke said in an official release. “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.”
Sister stations 9NEWS and My20 are sister stations will split their 40 game alottment, with 10 games of each team appearing on each network. Games airing on 9NEWS and My20 will still be produced by Altitude Sports and will feature the same talent, with Chris Marlowe, Scott Hastings, Vic Lombardi, Christopher Dempsey, Katy Winge, and Bill Hanzlik on Nuggets coverage, and Marc Moser, Mark Rycroft, Kyle Keefe, John-Michael Liles, John Mitchell, and Yan Stastny for Avs games.
“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.”
Altitude Sports continues to be available throughout its nine-state territory on DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Fubo.
As for the new streaming service, which is due to launch in October, fans in Altitude’s nine-state broadcast territory can subscribe to Altitude+ for $19.95/month. The service includes all live Nuggets and Avalanche games aired on Altitude Sports, plus pre- and post-game coverage, full episodes of Altitude Sports originals, and regional collegiate coverage of Colorado State, University of Denver, and Air Force Academy athletics.
Altitude+ also will be available as a TV Everywhere (TVE) service at no additional cost for customers who currently subscribe to a TV package from a distribution partner that includes Altitude Sports.
“Altitude+ will make our live game broadcasts more accessible to a broader audience,” said Demoff. “We have a first-class crew with some of the best on-air talent in the NBA and NHL. I’m excited for those fans that haven’t been able to watch games on Altitude on a regular basis – they’re in for a show.”
According to the announcement, Altitude+ will be available for download on iOS and Android devices, with connected smart TV apps to follow soon after.
