Hawks, Bulls, & Sox new channel is Chicago Sports Network (CHSN)

[Beukeboom Fan]

Chicago Sports Network's over-the-air gesture is wonderful, but there's a business aspect, too

If you want to make friends, give people something they want for free. That isn’t the only rationale behind Chicago Sports Network’s decision, but that’s how many received it.

chicago.suntimes.com

OTA: mainly leverage to get carriage with cable/satellite firms. who'd have thunk?

I've been a YouTube TV subscriber for 2-3 years now (was with DirecTV for ~20 years previously, and not going back). fully resigned to not having the Hawks being carried by YTTV (like Marquee). fortunately, OTA works for me (but no DVR, ugh), but I fully get that it doesn't for a lot of fans. ownership doesn't give a shit

Was like you being with DTV for 20+ years, and also can't justify going back. The NHL's inability to provide a realistic streaming option is criminal IMO. It's almost like the league is directly invested in the legacy system that is dying as we watch.

 

[swerdnase]

 

[Fenway]

Chicago Sports Network's over-the-air gesture is wonderful, but there's a business aspect, too

If you want to make friends, give people something they want for free. That isn’t the only rationale behind Chicago Sports Network’s decision, but that’s how many received it.

chicago.suntimes.com

OTA: mainly leverage to get carriage with cable/satellite firms. who'd have thunk?

I've been a YouTube TV subscriber for 2-3 years now (was with DirecTV for ~20 years previously, and not going back). fully resigned to not having the Hawks being carried by YTTV (like Marquee). fortunately, OTA works for me (but no DVR, ugh), but I fully get that it doesn't for a lot of fans. ownership doesn't give a shit

@bwana63 There are antenna/DVR combos that are reasonably priced

Based on what has happened in other markets I expect CHSN will strike a deal with Fubo but not YouTubeTV. Xfinity will be a hard negotiation and Astound/RCN
Getting an agreement with DirecTV was huge for CHSN as they cover the biggest footprint.

 

[Pez68]

@bwana63 There are antenna/DVR combos that are reasonably priced

Based on what has happened in other markets I expect CHSN will strike a deal with Fubo but not YouTubeTV. Xfinity will be a hard negotiation and Astound/RCN
Getting an agreement with DirecTV was huge for CHSN as they cover the biggest footprint.

You have some kind of data to back this up?

 

[Fenway]

You have some kind of data to back this up?

NBC Sports Chicago was unlocked on Channel 665 DirecTV as far south as Indianapolis.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

You have some kind of data to back this up?

You can get DTV anywhere you can get the signal.

Whereas, I know Xfinity doesn't service Iowa, that's Mediacom territory.

NBC Sports Chicago was unlocked on Channel 665 DirecTV as far south as Indianapolis.

I had it in Bloomington (also had it on Uverse).

 

[Pez68]

Ah. I misunderstood. I thought he meant they had the most customers.

 

[Fenway]

You can get DTV anywhere you can get the signal.

Whereas, I know Xfinity doesn't service Iowa, that's Mediacom territory.

I had it in Bloomington (also had it on Uverse).

Ah. I misunderstood. I thought he meant they had the most customers.

They have the most potential customers.

Fans who live downstate know this issue well as cable companies that COULD offer NBC Sports Chicago would decline but NHL TV and now ESPN+ say you are blacked out as DirecTV serves that zipcode.

 

[Drumman44]

I could have sworn there was going to be an App? Is that not true?

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

You have some kind of data to back this up?

I don't know if you know Fenway's background but when it comes to sports distribution that's been his career for like forty fifty years.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I could have sworn there was going to be an App? Is that not true?

I can't imagine they won't have one but it's all very much in the air and they aren't saying much for liability and pr reasons. I get that Reinsdorf sucks but the Wirtz's will spend the money for pr reasons alone I'd be surprised if they don't make thus work pretty quickly.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

My guess is they're waiting until they have these distribution deals done before they announce an app, since those deals may factor into the price.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Yeah please just give me an app i can download to my smart tv/phone/macbook to watch the games. That would be so sick