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Chicago Sports Network

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Chicago Sports Network
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV over-the air and linear
4K UHDTV streaming and linear (TBD), select events
Ownership
Owner
Key peopleJason Coyle, CEO
History
Founded2024
LaunchedOctober 1, 2024; 2 months ago (2024-10-01)
ReplacedNBC Sports Chicago
Links
Webcastwww.chsn.com/feed
Websitechsn.com
Availability
Streaming media
DirecTV StreamInternet Protocol television
FuboTVInternet Protocol television

Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) is an American regional sports network owned by Standard Media, the Wirtz Corporation, owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Chicago Bulls and White Sox franchises. It launched after the teams' contracts with NBC Sports Chicago expired on October 1, 2024.

The network is distributed via multiple platforms, including via subchannels of broadcast television stations within its teams' broadcast regions, agreements with pay television providers, and a direct-to-consumer app.

History

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In 2004, Jerry Reinsdorf, Bill Wirtz, and the Tribune Company—the owners of the Bulls and White Sox, Blackhawks, and Cubs respectively—formed a new regional sports network with Comcast known as Comcast SportsNet Chicago (later named NBC Sports Chicago). The network was jointly owned by the four teams, while Comcast held a 30% stake and handle operations.[1][2] The Cubs departed the network after 2019, forming Marquee with Sinclair Broadcast Group as the exclusive broadcaster of all regional Cubs games;[3][4] that same year, NBC Sports Chicago signed a five-year extension with the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox, making it the exclusive home of all three teams through the end of the 2023–24 season.[5][6][7]

In April 2024, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the three teams were in negotiations with Stadium to assume their regional rights after the conclusion of their contract with NBC Sports Chicago.[8] Stadium is owned by the White Sox's investment arm Silver Chalice and had previously been a joint venture with Sinclair until they sold their stake in 2023.[9] In May 2024, The Athletic subsequently reported an agreement with Standard Media that would involve a newly launched multi-platform regional sports network;[10] the Sun-Times later reported that Standard Media would primarily serve as a funding and distribution partner and that Stadium was to serve as the teams' new home.[11]

On June 3, 2024, the three teams and Standard Media officially announced Chicago Sports Network, led by former Stadium CEO Jason Coyle.[12][13] Unlike most regional sports networks, Chicago Sports Network will be available over-the-air and through pay-TV and streaming services.[14] Social media accounts used by NBC Sports Chicago transitioned to being operated by Chicago Sports Network at the end of September 2024.[15]

Programming

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Chicago Sports Network holds the regional television rights to the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball, the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks, the NBA's Chicago Bulls and the NBA G League's Windy City Bulls. The network produces its pre-game and post-game shows in studios in the United Center and Rate Field.[12][16][17]

Chicago Sports Network's flagship program is The Chicago Lead, a daily sports program covering all Chicago sports teams including local college and high school sports. In addition, the network also airs The Big College Football Show and The Big Pro Football Show, focusing on college football and the National Football League, respectively.[18][19]

Carriage

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Pay-TV

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On September 12, 2024, it was reported that the network was nearing its first carriage agreement with DirecTV that would have it taking over the channel positions formerly occupied by NBC Sports Chicago.[20] On September 18, the agreement with DirecTV was confirmed.[21] On September 30, the network reached an agreement with Astound RCN,[22] and streaming service Fubo was added on October 25.[23] The network was also added to MTCO, a small regional internet and streaming-TV provider in Central Illinois.[24]

Carriage on Dish Network, which has shifted to refusing RSN carriage due to high distribution fees, is not expected to be pursued.[25] Carriage on YouTube TV is also not expected to be pursued due to their lack of interest in adding RSNs.[26]

Comcast negotiations

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On October 10, 2024, it was reported that negotiations were ongoing between CHSN and Comcast, the Chicago area's primary cable TV provider.[26] Both parties were unable to reach an agreement prior to the network's launch due to a dispute over tier placement.[27] CHSN stated that it had reduced its fee to below what NBC Sports Chicago was receiving from Comcast but still had yet to receive an offer. As a result of the ongoing negotiations, CHSN had withheld its standalone streaming app, as CHSN believed its release would further hinder a deal with Comcast.[28] By the end of October, CHSN had sent three offers to Comcast but received no offer in return, with its third offer including a move to Comcast's Ultimate tier and a much lower fee than NBC Sports Chicago's.[29]

Over-the-air

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On September 15, 2024, Chicago Sports Network announced its over-the-air coverage in the Chicago market through a two-channel lease for the main channel and an overflow channel (both in 1080i high definition) on the digital subcarriers of WJYS (channel 62), a station licensed to Hammond, Indiana, with full-market coverage from the Willis Tower.[30] The subchannels for CHSN via WJYS require an ATSC tuner that supports the more compact MPEG-4 video codec.[31] Coverage on Gray Television stations in Rockford and South Bend were announced on October 1.[32] Coverage on Family Broadcasting Corporation station WHMB in Indianapolis was announced on October 17.[33] Because the network's coverage area over-the-air outside the Chicago market will conflict with the rights to other teams, it is likely that alternate blackout programming will be transmitted to those stations. For instance, White Sox baseball and Bulls basketball would not be seen on CHSN's Milwaukee and Madison partner due to conflicts with the Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks, and though it has coverage in West Michigan, no game coverage is featured due to the presence of Detroit's own teams, including the Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings.

Mark Lazerus, the Blackhawks beat writer for The Athletic, claimed that CHSN's over-the-air signal via WJYS in Chicago sometimes leaves much to be desired. Lazerus wrote that watching CHSN via channel 62 over-the-air requires an antenna aimed at Willis Tower, and even then the picture quality can be "glitchier than scrambled late-night cable was in the 1980s." Lazerus added that the over-the-air signal is all but unviewable in rainy or windy conditions.[34]

Chicago Sports Network transmitters
Market Affiliate Primary channel Overflow channel References
Chicago, Illinois
(Hammond, Indiana) 		WJYS 62.2 62.3 [30]
Rockford, Illinois WSLN 19.3 19.4 [32]
South Bend, Indiana WNDU-TV 16.2 16.4 [32]
Des Moines, Iowa KDMI 19.3 — [30]
Angola, Indiana WINM (soon) 12.2 — [35]
Fort Wayne, Indiana WEIJ-LD (soon) 38.2 — [35]
Cedar Rapids, Iowa KWKB (soon) 20.5 — [35]
Sioux City, Iowa KMEG 14.5 — [30]
Paducah, Kentucky WDKA (soon) 49.7 — [35]
Milwaukee, Wisconsin WVTV 24.4 — [35]
Grand Rapids, Michigan WWMT 3.4 — [35]
Champaign/Springfield, Illinois
TBA
Peoria, Illinois WHOI 19.4 — [35]
Quincy, Illinois
TBA
Indianapolis, Indiana WHMB-TV 40.2 40.6 [33]
Madison, Wisconsin WMTV (soon) 15.7 — [35]
Map
Grade A signal contours for stations affiliated with Chicago Sports Network.

Direct-to-consumer streaming service

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On November 14, 2024, CHSN unveiled its DTC streaming app with pricing set at $19.99 per month for one team or $29.99 per month for full access to the network, including non-team programming. The app also allows eligible pay-TV subscribers to use their pay-TV credentials.[36]

References

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  1. ^ "Comcast To Launch New Sports Net Along With Chicago Teams". Sports Business Journal. December 2, 2003. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  2. ^ "CSN Chicago Is Born; New Net To Launch In 1.5 Million HHs". Sports Business Journal. December 3, 2003. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  3. ^ Jesse Rogers (February 13, 2019). "Cubs launching a network of their own, Marquee Sports Network". ESPN. ESPN Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  4. ^ Phil Rosenthal (February 13, 2019). "The Cubs are starting a new TV channel in 2020. Here's what that means for fans". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  5. ^ "NBC Sports Chicago Announces New Pact With White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks". WMAQ-TV. NBC Owned Television Stations. January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  6. ^ Teddy Greenstein (January 2, 2019). "NBC Sports Chicago announces multiyear deal with the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "While Cubs prepare to launch Marquee, Hawks, Bulls & Sox return to NBCSCH". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. December 19, 2018.
  8. ^ "White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks near deal to make Stadium their new TV home". Chicago Sun-Times. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  9. ^ Lafayette, Jon (May 30, 2023). "Sinclair Sells Control of Stadium to Jerry Reinsdorf's Silver Chalice". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Lazerus, Scott Powers and Mark. "Blackhawks, Bulls, White Sox find new partner, broadcast home". The Athletic. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  11. ^ "Stadium, Standard Media Group working to launch network for White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks". Chicago Sun-Times. May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) to Launch as New Home to the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox". www.nba.com. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Libit, Daniel (June 3, 2024). "Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks to Launch Chicago Sports Network". Sportico.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  14. ^ "Chicago Sports Network set to air Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox games". The AP. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  15. ^ "After Sept. 30, NBC Sports Chicago followers will receive content from the new Chicago Sports Network". Twitter. @nbcschicago Twitter account. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  16. ^ "2024-25 Windy City Bulls Home Games to be Broadcast on Chicago Sports Network". Windy City Bulls. November 15, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  17. ^ "chsn shows". chsn.com. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  18. ^ "CHSN announces its studio shows". Twitter. @jon_greenberg Twitter account. September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  19. ^ "chsn shows". chsn.com. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  20. ^ "Chicago Sports Network close to its first distribution deal, with DirecTV". September 12, 2024. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024.
  21. ^ "Chicago Sports Network, DirecTV announce carriage agreement". September 18, 2024.
  22. ^ "Chicago Sports Network expected to appear on Astound RCN at launch Tuesday". Chicago Sun-Times. September 30, 2024.
  23. ^ "Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) Reached Multi-Year Carriage Agreement with Fubo". October 25, 2024.
  24. ^ "MTCO digiMAX Channel Guide | Metamora, IL; Germantown Hills, IL; Washington, IL".
  25. ^ "Get out your old antenna, sports fans. Chicago Sports Network to launch Oct. 1 on DirecTV and free TV". Chicago Tribune. September 16, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Chicago Sports Network, Comcast still talking as channel's first regular-season game nears". Chicago Sun-Times. October 10, 2024.
  27. ^ "CHSN's Comcast negotiations present urgent dilemma as fans' wrath grows". The Athletic. October 16, 2024.
  28. ^ "Chicago Sports Network president says he's ready to make a deal with Comcast, but it is refusing". October 20, 2024.
  29. ^ "Will 'wait until next year' apply to TV, too?".
  30. ^ a b c d "CHSN". chsn.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  31. ^ "CHSN FAQ page". CHSN. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c "Gray Media and the Chicago Sports Network to Bring Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox Games Free Over-The-Air to Viewers in Rockford, IL and South Bend, IN" (Press release). October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  33. ^ a b "Family Broadcasting Corporation Launches Chicago Sports Network on WHMB TV-40". PRNewswire. October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  34. ^ Mark Lazerus (November 15, 2024). "Blackhawks players know CHSN fiasco risks sending team back into 'oblivion'". The Athletic.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h "Rabbitears affiliate list". Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  36. ^ "RELEASE: Chicago Sports Network Streaming Service to Launch Tomorrow | Chicago Blackhawks". November 14, 2024.
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