Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) and Comcast have yet to reach a deal to televise the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox primarily due to a disagreement over the tier of cable package in which the carrier would place the new network.
CHSN launched on Oct. 1 after NBC Sports Chicago ended operations last month. The new venture is partly owned by Blackhawks owner Wirtz Corporation and Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Bulls and White Sox.
The network is already broadcast locally over the air and carried by DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, U-verse TV and Astound TV. Still, the lack of a deal with Comcast sparked disappointment and anger from fans online Friday when the Blackhawks’ game against the Winnipeg Jets — the first game shown on CHSN — wasn’t available on cable TV.
— Chicago Sports Network (@CHSN__) October 11, 2024
A major hurdle in discussions has been the issue of channel placement, according to a source close to the negotiations. Cable providers have increasingly moved to place regional sports networks in premium tiers or packages that come at a higher cost to consumers. CHSN’s goal is to be available to as many fans as possible, the source said.
CHSN has agreed to lower rights fees from Comcast, but has been unwilling to accept Comcast’s proposal to place CHSN on the cable service’s highest tier, the source said. NBC Sports Chicago, the previous broadcast home to the three teams, had been on Comcast’s middle tier.
An email to a Comcast spokesperson was not immediately answered on Saturday afternoon. A spokesperson said Friday that Comcast was still in discussions with CHSN.
On Saturday, the source said CHSN remains hopeful of landing a carriage deal with Comcast, the primary cable TV carrier in the Chicago market. CHSN is also currently negotiating with Fubo and Hulu, but it is not expecting carriage with YouTube TV, the source said.
CHSN is also working on a direct-to-consumer app that will soon be available, the source added, but it is not expected to be introduced to the public until carriage agreements are finalized.
CHSN is scheduled to broadcast 69 Blackhawks games this regular season, including Saturday night’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers.
Required reading
• Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), Comcast yet to reach agreement as first regular-season broadcast nears
(Photo: Jon Greenberg / The Athletic)
