CMCSA Comcast Corporation

By Maria Armental 

A regional television network that broadcasts Denver Nuggets basketball and Colorado Avalanche hockey games accused cable company Comcast Corp. of trying to drive it out of business and seize control of the Denver area sports market.

Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator, stopped carrying Altitude Sports & Entertainment on Aug. 31. Altitude also carries games of the Colorado Mammoth lacrosse and Colorado Rapids soccer.

In a complaint filed Monday in Colorado federal court, Altitude, which was created by billionaire Stan Kroenke, accuses Comcast of using its control of the market to push it out business and possibly install its own regional sports network.

Comcast didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Altitude also said Comcast has overcharged customers by levying regional sports fees though they no longer have access to the coverage.

"Only recently has Comcast begun issuing small monthly credits to its subscribers for an amount far below the monthly fee Comcast has avoided paying Altitude during the time Comcast has blacked out Altitude programming," according to the complaint.

The regional sports fee that Comcast charges subscribers, Altitude says, is more than twice the amount that Comcast had been paying every month to Altitude for each subscriber.

Regional sports networks like Altitude strike licensing agreements with professional, collegiate and high-school sports teams, leagues and conferences to carry their games.

"Since games between professional sports teams draw substantial audiences, the right to telecast these games has become the most attractive -- and most expensive-sports programming," Altitude said.

Write to Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 18, 2019 15:26 ET (20:26 GMT)

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