As Altitude TV remains blacked out on major cable and satellite providers, the regional sports network has an alternative way for Nuggets fans to view the team’s home opener this week. Altitude TV announced the Denver Nuggets game this Friday, October 25th will be broadcast locally on KTVD (Ch. 20).
Friday will be the first time in over thirty years, a Nuggets game will be shown on a local over-the-air network broadcast.
“We are pleased to be working with our long-time partners at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to bring the Denver Nuggets home opener to their fans here in Colorado,” said President & GM KUSA/KTVD Mark Cornetta. “We have enjoyed a strong working relationship with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and that is why it was an easy decision to work with them on bringing this home opener to Denver television. We are excited to help kickoff their 2019/2020 season.”
Following a steady 15 year partnership with major cable providers, Altitude TV has been involved in a contract dispute with DISH Network, DIRECTV, and Comcast since late August. While rights fees continue to increase for regional sports networks, cable providers are looking to reduce costs as streaming services entice cord cutters to move away from traditional television, contributing to the dispute.
“We are outraged that our fans aren’t able to enjoy their hometown teams in action,” said Kroenke Sports & Entertainment EVP/COO Matt Hutchings. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to reach an agreement with Comcast, DIRECTV and DISH Network. In the interim, we have purchased air time on Channel 20 to broadcast the Denver Nuggets home opener on Friday. We’re excited to be able to provide this to our fans as they join in us in celebrating Mile High Basketball.”
Hutchings also acknowledged they’re searching for a similar deal for the Avalanche, whose games are also blacked out during the networks dispute with cable providers. “It’s a travesty that all sports fans can’t enjoy the Nuggets and Avs games as we enter these highly-anticipated seasons,” added Hutchings.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.