Chicago sports fans will soon have another way to stream their favorite teams on the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN).
The regional sports network, launched by the Chicago Bulls, White Sox, and Blackhawks in partnership with Standard Media in October, is launching its highly anticipated direct-to-consumer on Friday, November 15. The CHSN app will be available on iOS, Android, or any web browser.
“We are excited to offer Chicago sports fans a one-of-a-kind digital product enabling immediate access to live games and a complement of personalized, on-demand content,” said CHSN President Jason Coyle. “Today’s announcement is the next step in our long-term commitment to Chicago sports fans everywhere and is another new and compelling way for us to serve and connect with them.”
Everything to Know About the CHSN DTC App
The CHSN app will give Chicago area fans access to their teams like never before. The DTC app includes the CHSN Live Game Center, at the platform’s core, featuring:
- Live streams of Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox games
- Real-time game coverage with in-game highlights
- Pre-game and post-game coverage, including interviews with athletes and
coaches - Streams can also be cast from the web or the app to larger screens including your TV.
How Much is a CHSN Subscription & What’s Included?
CHSN will offer two plans at launch (One Team or Full Access) and both come with a 7-day free trial.
- One Team Package (Starts at $19.99 per month): Get access to the CHSN Live Game Center and stream your favorite Chicagoland team.
- Full Team Access (Starts at $29.99 per month): Unlock access to everything CHSN offers, including, access to all three teams in the CHSN Live Game Center. In addition, to live games, you get access to CHSN’s programming slate, which includes “The Chicago Lead”, “The Big College Football Show”, “The Big Pro Football Show presented by the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers”, and a simulcast of Chicago’s top morning radio show, “Mully and Haugh”. Fans will be able to consume content featuring on-air CHSN talent, including Jake Butt, Joshua Perry, Eddie George, Brooke Fletcher, Tim Brown and more, bringing expert commentary and storytelling to life.
Authentication via your eligible pay-tv provider will be available in the coming weeks, followed by access to the games via connected TV applications, such as Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and more. Fans with any questions can contact CHSN by phone or email at 1-800-928-2848 and support@chsn.com, respectively.
Try the CHSN app for free for 7 days when it launches on November 15
Where to Watch the Chicago Sports Network
As of today, CHSN is distributed on traditional cable and satellite providers; however, subscribers to Comcast in the Chicagoland area are without the network due to both sides being unable to agree on which package tier it should be carried in.
Distribution for the CHSN trio of teams can be found on Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM. It was announced in October that Fubo and CHSN agreed to a multi-year deal to bring over 300 live Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox games to the platform annually. This came after DIRECTV STREAM agreed to carry the network in September in a landmark deal.
If you’re in the Chicagoland area and want to learn how to watch Chicago Sports Network, the easiest way is over the air with an antenna. It can be found on the flagship channel 62.2 and on channel 62.3 within the region. Plus, the network is available throughout the Midwest on affiliate stations in the market.
When the network was first launched, CHSN President Jason Coyle stated: “As we set out to design the network, we began and ended every discussion with the simple question: What is best for our fans? What is the best approach to distribution? How can we push the limits of both in-game and studio production? We plan to serve our fans on as many platforms and in as many markets as our rights allow.”
With a DTC option launching, Coyle is following up on his company’s plan to serve fans by expanding its reach. Formerly, NBC Sports Chicago aired the trio’s games, which Comcast had a 25% ownership of. This made negotiations easier for Comcast to carry the network, which is why it has the leverage over the new ownership group.
Comcast is the Chicago area’s largest cable TV provider with millions of subscribers. It remains to be seen if the two can come to an agreement. More teams are transitioning from the old RSN model to free OTA broadcasts and DTC offerings.