DENVER — Colorado sports fans will once again be able to watch their favorite teams on television as a longstanding conflict between Altitude Sports and Comcast has finally come to an end. The two parties announced this week that Altitude Sports has been reinstated for Comcast’s Xfinity TV subscribers, allowing fans to catch local broadcasts of the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche after a hiatus that began in 2019.
Kevin Demoff, the president of team and media operations for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), which owns Altitude Sports, expressed his regret for the disruption to the fans, stating, “The first thing we have to do at KSE is just look at our fans and say, ‘I’m sorry.’” He acknowledged that the absence of local broadcasts had deprived fans of numerous thrilling moments, saying, “Every day that went by for the past year was a game too many.” Demoff emphasized that restoring these broadcasts was a top priority for the Kroenke family.
The live television coverage resumed with a game on Tuesday night, featuring the Avalanche going up against the Vancouver Canucks. Josh Kroenke, KSE’s vice chairman, expressed his excitement about the announcement, stating, “We are thrilled to once again make Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche games available on Comcast and Xfinity platforms in Colorado and the surrounding region.” He highlighted the significance of this development for local fans, calling it the best possible outcome for supporters of both teams.
For several years, younger fans have struggled to follow the impressive careers of stars such as Nikola Jokic and Nathan MacKinnon due to the contract issues with Comcast. Instead of enjoying the games on regular cable, they have had to resort to alternative broadcasts or streaming services during pivotal moments—such as MacKinnon’s triumph with a Stanley Cup in 2022 or Jokic’s success in leading the Nuggets to an NBA championship in 2023.
The disagreement between Comcast and Altitude centered on broadcasting fees, resulting in a protracted legal dispute that kept the teams off the air in many households for the past five and a half seasons. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who attended a recent press conference wearing a Jokic jersey, expressed the joy of being able to watch local talent compete, commenting, “It is an absolute gift to be able to watch some of the greatest athletes in sports history playing in your hometown every night.” He encouraged families to see this as an opportunity to introduce a new generation of fans to local sports, despite missing out on the past few seasons.
Overall, the recent agreement brings excitement back to Colorado’s sports landscape as fans can cheer for their teams once again.
