The local television blackout of Avalanche and Nuggets games on Comcast might finally be nearing its end.
Altitude TV — a Kroenke-owned independent regional sports network — has updated its position in contract negotiations with a new offer to Comcast. The state’s largest cable provider has not carried Altitude since their previous deal expired in September 2019.
“It is Altitude’s aim that this offer will bring the case to a close and return the network to Comcast for Front Range fans,” Altitude said in a Friday news release.
Leslie Oliver, director of external communications at Comcast, said: “We continue to remain open to options that could allow Comcast to show the games in a way that avoids raising rates for our customers regardless of whether they watch the channel.”
The Post could not determine the specifics of Altitude’s latest contract proposal. However, back in November 2019, the regional sports network filed a lawsuit against Comcast that claimed the cable giant negotiated with business tactics that “make no economic sense” in a plot to buy or eliminate Altitude. Comcast argued the RSN mistook a “routine commercial disagreement” for a violation of antitrust laws.
On Thursday, a federal judge asked Altitude and Comcast to resolve their legal dispute with a settlement conference instead of a jury trial. Both parties agreed to file a joint motion no later than Monday, per online court records, to seek possible resolution through a mediator. Altitude said it plans to make its revised contract offer to Comcast prior to mediation.
“It is our hope that by working through a mediator, Altitude will be able to return to Comcast without raising the price for our fans to watch their local teams,” said Matt Hutchings, COO of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. “We have worked diligently toward that goal.”
Colorado Rapids MLS games are included in the Altitude-Comcast blackout. The RSN has also not reached a contract agreement with Dish Network. Altitude programming is available on DirecTV.
The Denver Post’s Mike Singer contributed to this report.