Why would directv be dropping Altitude Sports channel?

[BU1B22]

Don’t block my Altitude tv channel

[TexasBrit]

You obviouly have not read all the posts on this. Because its an RSN, everybody pays even if they never watch it.

[rkjackson]

Not all RSNs come with base packages, depends on your zip code

[OU8132]

Really, that would be neither. I know how the subscription entertainment business works. I was quoting a Wall Street article that stated that DTV lost over 2.5M subs in the past year (Q2 2018 to Q2 2019,, which is 9.8%), they are also losing over $500M on Sunday NFL Ticket and a high likelihood that when their contract with them expires in 2022 that they will not be able to financially afford to offer it. It will likely move to Hulu or Amazon (or both).

With regards to Altitude, all three carriers contracts expired at the end of August of 2019 (poor planning by Altitude) so all three carriers conspired to demand a 50% decrease in Altitude's fees. If you’re Altitude what would you do? The regional sports networks have such a small viewership that the big three could care less. AT&T has their own RSN that they purchased from Root Sports. The Rockies have higher ratings than the Avs and Nuggets combined,

Not very good odds of ever being resolved and we as consumers lose! And they will likely raise their prices to the consumers on top of it.

[OU8132]

Which is why all three carriers are demanding a 50% reduction in fees from Altitude!

[shannon02]

So how do you know Altitude didn't ask for a 50% raise?

[Skdubb]

Here’s the other side of the story:

”Dear Altitude Viewer,

For the past 15 years, Altitude Sports has been the proud home network of your Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Rapids and other local sports programming, televising live games, while providing unprecedented behind-the-scenes coverage of the teams throughout the community. Although Comcast, DIRECTV and Denver-based DISH Network have carried Altitude since its inception on September 4, 2004, all three have dropped Altitude so that none of their subscribers are able to watch Altitude programming.

Why are these three cable and satellite giants coming together now after fifteen years to block viewers from watching their favorite local teams? In fact, Comcast and DIRECTV, which also own and operate their own regional sports networks that carry their local sports teams, have entered into agreements with regional sports networks throughout the United States, and even here in our very own region, on terms and conditions very similar to those that Altitude has been negotiating for.

The Big Three’s hardball tactics are dumbfounding and disrespectful to their sports-loving customers. Altitude has been an exemplary partner since its launch in 2004, producing and airing thousands of Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth and DU games. Altitude also telecasts invaluable and award-winning programming otherwise unavailable for colleges and high schools in our 10-state territory. Now the Big Three want to tune out their viewers and turn off our beloved teams and all other Altitude programming. This makes no sense.

We are asking that all sports fans in the region come together and call for an end to this terrible power play by these three domineering conglomerates. Join us in our fight for what’s right. If you are a subscriber to Comcast, DIRECTV or DISH Network, please contact them now before it’s too late.

Here is how you can help and make sure you don’t miss one second programming on Altitude Sports.

We are asking anyone who currently subscribes to Comcast, DIRECTV or DISH Network programming to please make your voices be heard by calling, emailing and using social media platforms to tell them - DON’T BLOCK MY ALTITUDE!”

[mdram4x4]

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@Skdubb wrote:

Here’s the other side of the story:

”Dear Altitude Viewer,

For the past 15 years, Altitude Sports has been the proud home network of your Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Rapids and other local sports programming, televising live games, while providing unprecedented behind-the-scenes coverage of the teams throughout the community. Although Comcast, DIRECTV and Denver-based DISH Network have carried Altitude since its inception on September 4, 2004, all three have dropped Altitude so that none of their subscribers are able to watch Altitude programming.

Why are these three cable and satellite giants coming together now after fifteen years to block viewers from watching their favorite local teams? In fact, Comcast and DIRECTV, which also own and operate their own regional sports networks that carry their local sports teams, have entered into agreements with regional sports networks throughout the United States, and even here in our very own region, on terms and conditions very similar to those that Altitude has been negotiating for.

The Big Three’s hardball tactics are dumbfounding and disrespectful to their sports-loving customers. Altitude has been an exemplary partner since its launch in 2004, producing and airing thousands of Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth and DU games. Altitude also telecasts invaluable and award-winning programming otherwise unavailable for colleges and high schools in our 10-state territory. Now the Big Three want to tune out their viewers and turn off our beloved teams and all other Altitude programming. This makes no sense.

We are asking that all sports fans in the region come together and call for an end to this terrible power play by these three domineering conglomerates. Join us in our fight for what’s right. If you are a subscriber to Comcast, DIRECTV or DISH Network, please contact them now before it’s too late.

Here is how you can help and make sure you don’t miss one second programming on Altitude Sports.

We are asking anyone who currently subscribes to Comcast, DIRECTV or DISH Network programming to please make your voices be heard by calling, emailing and using social media platforms to tell them - DON’T BLOCK MY ALTITUDE!”

no one is blocking altitude.  altitude decided they do not want to negotiate in good faith, and turned off the feed

only altitude can return the feed

people are tired of high prices, its why cord cutting is so popular

sports stations are the highest cost stations.

they know no one would subscribe year round, and no one would pay the cost they would need to charge as a premium

the only way they can survive is to force people that do not want them to pay for them and subsidize the costs

things are changing in the paytv world. 

[gritts24]

Actually,

I just turned in my DirecTV boxes yesterday and cancelled my service last
week. DirecTV has become an unreliable service, always having a dispute
with one channel provider or another. I finally did the research and
figured out it would save me $40 a month to cut the cord and still get more
of the channels I want.

I ended up getting Sling, nhl.tv, nba.tv, hulu and Netflix for a average
total of $70 a month. I also picked up a VPN service for $6 a month so I
dont ever have to worry about blacked out games.

DirecTV will, as they always do, attempt to give you a discount when you
cancel. They offered me $40 a month off until they got altitude back when I
cancelled, however to me it's not worth the hassle. I had 10 months left on
my contact, only a $70 fee for cancelling. I will make that back in my
first two months without it.

[QuarryRye]

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@gritts24 wrote:
I also picked up a VPN service for $6 a month so I
dont ever have to worry about blacked out games.

---

At least until the services find out you're using a VPN and block it out. Streaming services aren't stupid. As for your canceling your DirecTV service, that's what we've been saying to do all along. But you still won't have Altitude or all the channels you want.

[Teege123]

It doesn’t matter whose at fault here, it’s the natives and fans who suffer. If both parties really cared about the fans they would agree upon a increased rate, streaming service, or a viable solution BEFORE the season (hockey) started. I like how they waited until a week before puck drops to pull a corporate move like this. I don’t care whose at fault, this was a slime bag move as far as timing goes, and they know it. What gives either of you the right to take away hockey from the working man a week before the season starts. Shame on the network and shame on AT&T. Greed is killing Sports. 

[Constructive]

@Teege123  the terms of service give them the right to take away hockey or any other channel for that matter

(d) Our Programming Changes.

Many factors affect the availability, cost and quality of programming and may influence the decision to raise prices and the amount of any increase. These include, among others, programming and other costs, consumer demand, market and shareholder expectations, and changing business conditions. Accordingly, we reserve the unrestricted right to change, rearrange, add or delete our programming packages, the selections in those packages, our prices, technologies used to deliver the Service, and any other Service we offer, at any time.

[rkjackson]

Amen brother, and probably with playoff bound teams, the best we have seen,
or not seen in this case, in years

[ictict]

Don't block Altitude!!!  

It's really simple - I subscribe to DTV so I can see Nuggets and Avalanche.  Altitude is the only choice.  Amazingly DTV and Dish are in cahoots on this, so I have no need for either of you.  Fact is, not Altitude by start of regular season - no DTV in my house.  There is not one other thing you offer that a) I can't somewhere else, and b) I am willing to pay your ridiculous fees.  I can have several streaming services for the money I pay you.  Figure it out!

[shannon02]

There is nothing to figure out they want more money then what they are worth and soon will go bankrupt, so good luck with watching you games.

[blue1bunnie]

So, what you're saying is they (DirecTV) don't have to reduce your bill by
not carrying Altitude. In other words, they don't pay Altitude and they
keep the money they used to pay them..What a great system! Not much
incentive to reach a deal with Altitude is there? Except to take your
business elsewhere.