alebowgm
09-06-04, 04:44 PM
They made official something that we already know...
http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/index.asp?story_id=38875
Its on the air - Denver's Attitude Sports RSN
What does it take to start a new TV network in Denver?
More than $10 million to build a studio install production equipment and market the channel. That and this report from The Rocky Mountain News' Chris Walsh
Nearly five miles of audio and video cable to produce and transmit programming.
And an army of technicians, executives and production experts to create on-air promotions, cement programming schedules and lock down advertising.
Altitude Sports & Entertainment, the new network formed by Denver sports mogul Stan Kroenke, officially launches today, becoming the second local sports channel in a market long dominated by FSN Rocky Mountain.
Altitude will feature Denver Nuggets basketball and Colorado Avalanche hockey games as well as a host of other local sports and entertainment programming.
Kroenke, who owns the Nuggets, the Avalanche and several other local sports teams, decided in February to start his own network rather than sign a new contract with FSN.
He put the network on a tight deadline, giving executives just seven months to get it up and running.
At 12:30 p.m. Saturday, those efforts paid off when Altitude hit the air with a "making of" program about the network.
"To launch a new network in itself is challenging," said Dave Zur, Altitude's vice president of operations. "To do it in such a short time frame is extremely tough. This is a big wheel that's turning."
Having an experienced team of industry veterans familiar with the pitfalls of the TV industry has helped. Most Altitude executives, including Zur, have worked at regional sports networks around the country.
Perhaps, that's why Altitude doesn't exactly seem like a startup. Its promos - short ads for the network and for upcoming shows - are crisp and professional. Its studio, used for pregame and postgame shows as well as player interviews, is modern and high-tech. And the atmosphere at Altitude was tranquil just days before the network was to launch.
"There's basically a calm urgency," Zur said. "We're very focused on the task, but we've also managed to stay on schedule."
Altitude's studio and other offices are in nearly 10,000 square feet of space at Greenwood Village-based Crown Media Holdings, which owns the Hallmark cable-television network. Eventually, Altitude plans to expand its studio or build a new one.
"Having an infrastructure already here made it easier for us to get on the air," said Matthew Hutchings, Altitude's chief operating officer and executive vice president.
Launching is only part of the challenge.
Altitude is only available on EchoStar Communications Corp.'s Dish Network, Adelphia Communications in Colorado Springs and several smaller cable providers across the state.
The network still must obtain deals with Comcast, which has 680,000 subscribers in Colorado, and DirecTV.
"One of the most important things Altitude is trying to do here is get carriage, and Comcast is the major provider in this area, so getting them is extremely important," said Mark Wyche, managing director of consulting firm Bortz Media & Sports Group Inc.
Altitude also faces the increasing likelihood of an extended labor dispute in professional hockey that could shorten or cancel the Avalanche's season.
That would leave the network with hours of programming to fill. That and this report from The Rocky Mountain News' Chris Walsh
http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/index.asp?story_id=38875
Its on the air - Denver's Attitude Sports RSN
What does it take to start a new TV network in Denver?
More than $10 million to build a studio install production equipment and market the channel. That and this report from The Rocky Mountain News' Chris Walsh
Nearly five miles of audio and video cable to produce and transmit programming.
And an army of technicians, executives and production experts to create on-air promotions, cement programming schedules and lock down advertising.
Altitude Sports & Entertainment, the new network formed by Denver sports mogul Stan Kroenke, officially launches today, becoming the second local sports channel in a market long dominated by FSN Rocky Mountain.
Altitude will feature Denver Nuggets basketball and Colorado Avalanche hockey games as well as a host of other local sports and entertainment programming.
Kroenke, who owns the Nuggets, the Avalanche and several other local sports teams, decided in February to start his own network rather than sign a new contract with FSN.
He put the network on a tight deadline, giving executives just seven months to get it up and running.
At 12:30 p.m. Saturday, those efforts paid off when Altitude hit the air with a "making of" program about the network.
"To launch a new network in itself is challenging," said Dave Zur, Altitude's vice president of operations. "To do it in such a short time frame is extremely tough. This is a big wheel that's turning."
Having an experienced team of industry veterans familiar with the pitfalls of the TV industry has helped. Most Altitude executives, including Zur, have worked at regional sports networks around the country.
Perhaps, that's why Altitude doesn't exactly seem like a startup. Its promos - short ads for the network and for upcoming shows - are crisp and professional. Its studio, used for pregame and postgame shows as well as player interviews, is modern and high-tech. And the atmosphere at Altitude was tranquil just days before the network was to launch.
"There's basically a calm urgency," Zur said. "We're very focused on the task, but we've also managed to stay on schedule."
Altitude's studio and other offices are in nearly 10,000 square feet of space at Greenwood Village-based Crown Media Holdings, which owns the Hallmark cable-television network. Eventually, Altitude plans to expand its studio or build a new one.
"Having an infrastructure already here made it easier for us to get on the air," said Matthew Hutchings, Altitude's chief operating officer and executive vice president.
Launching is only part of the challenge.
Altitude is only available on EchoStar Communications Corp.'s Dish Network, Adelphia Communications in Colorado Springs and several smaller cable providers across the state.
The network still must obtain deals with Comcast, which has 680,000 subscribers in Colorado, and DirecTV.
"One of the most important things Altitude is trying to do here is get carriage, and Comcast is the major provider in this area, so getting them is extremely important," said Mark Wyche, managing director of consulting firm Bortz Media & Sports Group Inc.
Altitude also faces the increasing likelihood of an extended labor dispute in professional hockey that could shorten or cancel the Avalanche's season.
That would leave the network with hours of programming to fill. That and this report from The Rocky Mountain News' Chris Walsh