The weeks-long dispute between Altitude Sports and distributors Comcast, DirecTV and DISH isn’t close to being resolved and will likely carry on beyond the Colorado Avalanche’s season opener Oct. 3, according to multiple people close to negotiations.

As a result, the majority of fans won’t be able to watch the season opener on television.

The Nuggets’ season opener is three weeks later on Oct. 23.

There has been little discussion recently between Altitude and the Big 3 as the distributors continue to insist on discounted rates of over 50% and a plan to keep Altitude on a sports tier package, which would limit distribution.

“We are dealing with a unified refusal to deal and they’re not budging on anything, in fact not even indicating any willingness to talk,” Kroenke Sports and Entertainment President Jim Martin said. “We hope as the games get closer that that will change. … Time is short, but we haven’t seen anything yet.”

The dispute over carriage rights is indicative of the fractured regional sports network business in general. Similar disputes are going on across the country involving DirecTV/AT&T, ESPN and NFL Network.

As a result, Altitude Sports has looked into streaming options while trying to assess its options. At some point, it’s possible the NBA and NHL offices potentially help arbitrate.

“I will tell you we are in discussions with other entities,” Martin said. “Three major affiliates are effectively saying they don’t need the Avalanche and the Nuggets and that their customers don’t want them. They’ve said that. I don’t think they’re correct, but that’s what they’re saying.”

Comcast released a statement regarding the possibility the Avs’ season opener will not be available to thousands of television viewers in the Denver metro.

“We are disappointed that Altitude has chosen to pull its channel from our customers, and we now no longer have the rights to carry Altitude’s content,” the statement began. “For years, Altitude has demanded significant annual price increases for the same content, which has driven up costs for all of our customers in Colorado and Utah, even though most customers do not watch the channel. We have been negotiating in good faith with Altitude and want to reach an agreement with the network, but it must be at a reasonable price.”

When asked about the situation last week, Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog expressed disappointment.

“We feel a strong connection to our fans, whether they’re in Colorado or outside the States, where Altitude is being broadcast, and that’s a bummer that they’re missing out,” Landeskog said.

“…I hope an agreement gets done. I’m not too sure of the details, and what’s being negotiated one way or the other. But it would be a bummer if our games aren’t televised to everybody.”

A messages left with a Comcast spokeswoman was not immediately returned.

Denver Post reporter Mike Chambers contributed to this report.