As the thrill of the NBA and NHL seasons begins anew, Denver’s dedicated sports fans have reason to celebrate. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), the conglomerate behind the city’s professional basketball and hockey franchises, is embarking on an innovative collaboration to revamp how fans engage with their beloved teams. This article explores the implications of KSE’s new broadcast strategy and its potential to reshape the viewing landscape for the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.
A Pivotal Partnership
This season marks a significant pivot for both the Nuggets and the Avalanche as KSE partners with Tegna, a broadcasting giant, to provide expanded access to their games. Fans can expect to see 20 games of each team accessible via Tegna’s local television outlets, specifically on channels 9NEWS and My20, thus potentially unlocking viewership for a wider audience. This strategic move signals a keen awareness of the changing dynamics in how sports are consumed, especially amid a decline in traditional cable subscriptions.
The launch of a direct-to-consumer streaming service dubbed Altitude+ also stands out. Priced at a modest $19.95 monthly, Altitude+ promises to bridge the gap created by the loss of traditional cable access, particularly for Comcast and Dish customers who have been left in the cold since 2019 due to distribution disputes. The introduction of this platform not only broadens fan access but also caters to the increasing demand for flexible, on-demand sports viewing options.
The landscape of sports broadcasting is evolving rapidly, particularly within the NBA and NHL markets, where teams are becoming increasingly innovative in how they deliver games to their fans. This burgeoning trend is driven by a collective response to the waning attraction of cable TV packages that many fans are abandoning in search of more accessible content.
Numerous teams have taken to exploring alternative options, including partnerships with local broadcasters and the creation of independent streaming services, a pathway taken by the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, and other franchises facing similar access issues. This trend is mirrored in the NHL, with teams like the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks making critical decisions to withdraw from traditional regional sports networks. Instead, they are opting for more viewer-friendly arrangements, including over-the-air broadcasts and comprehensive streaming services.
The challenges faced by regional sports networks, compounded by the upheaval caused by Diamond Sports’ bankruptcy, have prompted franchises to rethink their approach to broadcasting. The ripple effect is significant; while many teams are allowing greater flexibility for their fan bases, they must also remain cautious. Navigating the balance between providing content and sustaining relationships with existing distributors is among the prime concerns for current sports executives.
KSE’s direct-to-consumer strategy with Altitude+ is a proactive measure to seize a burgeoning market opportunity while grappling with the complex traditional pay-TV contracts. Such contracts are vital as they represent the financial lifeblood that supports the high fees leagues charge for broadcasting rights. The company’s president, Steve Smith, highlighted the necessity for “maximum exposure” for their teams, which aligns with the sentiments shared across the league regarding the migration toward increased accessibility.
The upcoming sports seasons bring a thrilling transformation for fans of the Nuggets and the Avalanche. With KSE’s partnership with Tegna and the launch of Altitude+, local supporters can anticipate renewed excitement at their prospect of watching games more conveniently than ever before. In an era marked by shifting viewer preferences, this proactive approach may well serve as a blueprint for other teams grappling with similar issues.
Fans would do well to investigate these newly available options, as they will likely enhance their overall experience and engagement with the sports they love. The innovative strategies employed by KSE and the lessons learned in the current market landscape may pave the way for a future where sports broadcasting can adapt fluidly to meet the needs of contemporary audiences, ensuring fans always feel connected to their teams, regardless of the platform they choose.
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