There have been a lot of discussions about the challenges for cable regional sports networks and teams moving to over-the-air networks to broaden their reach. Much of that has centered on the Bally Sports networks and their ongoing bankruptcy process, but the RSN model faces hurdles beyond those Diamond Sports Group-owned networks. A particularly notable case there has been with Colorado RSN Altitude, and there’s now going to be notable change there.
Altitude is owned by Stan Kroenke’s Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, parent of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and NLL’s Colorado Mammoth. (KSE also owns the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Premier League club Arsenal, amongst other teams, but the aforementioned three are particularly notable for Altitude broadcasting rights.) The channel was launched in 2004, and it’s been a notable player in Denver and Colorado sports since then. But it’s faced massive carriage disputes in recent years, making it difficult for fans with many cable, satellite, or virtual multichannel programming distributor (MVPD) packages to get the channel. And, unlike many other RSNs, it hasn’t offered an over-the-top option.