On Monday, the Chicago Sports Network announced that they will be the new home for the Chicago White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks when the regional sorts network launches in October. It will launch with agreements in place with cable, streaming and over-the-air provisviders, but none have been named. The network will make a series of announcements over the sumer that ranges from distribution, talent and programming. The teams are leaving NBC Sports Chicago, who they’ve been with the network since October 2004.
Chicago Sports Network Will Launch in the Fall
The Chicago Sports Network will be owned by the three teams and national provider Standard Media. Stanard is run out of Nashville, who owns stations in Rhode Island, Missouri, Kentucy and Nebraska.
“We plan to serve oir fans on as many platforms and in as many markets as our rights allow,” new CHSN president Jason Coyle said in a statement. Coyle has worked in Chicago-based sports media leadership roles for more than 20 years, most recently as president of Stadium.
“As we set out to design the network, we began and ended every discussion with the simple question: ‘What is best for our fans?'” Coyle said in the statement. “‘What is the best approach to distribution? How can we push the limits of both in-game and studio production?'”
The Reinsdorf (White Sox/Bulls owner) and Wirtz families (Blackhawks) always had a stake in local sports television. Before NBC Sports Chicago, the channel was originally known as SportsChannel, which was co-owned by the families. However, the fate of NBC Sports Chicago or its employees remains up in the air. The hosts and broadcasters are employed by the team and not the network.
“We thank the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks for the long and collaborative partnetship on NBC Sports Chicago,” a NBC Sports Chicago spokesperson said to Alias.com.
Local Regional Sports Networks in an Ugly Battle
Throughout the season, local regional sports networks around the country are facing an ugly battle. Diamond Sports Group, who broadcasts 14 MLB teams, filed for bankruptcy last year and is reportedly still hemorrhaging money. MLB sold a package to Roku to broadcast Sunday morning games for $10 million per year. Prior to the agreement, Peacock had paid $30 million per season for the same package. Roku, unlike Peacock doesn’t require a paid subscription. However MLB’s lessened fee was viewed by some officials as “discouraging”, per Evan Drellich of The Athletic.
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