Fans of teams in the Chicago market will be able to watch live games more easily than ever. After the shutdown of NBC Sports Chicago, the Chicago White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks will launch the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) in partnership with Standard Media Group to bring fans access to their games beginning on October 1.
Games on CHSN will be available to watch with an antenna on Channel 62.2 and Channel 62.3 in the Chicagoland region as part of the programming agreement with Millennial Telecommunications’ WJYS TV. Both channels will convert over to HD and carry full-time CHSN programming on the launch date. Having two digital channels enables the broadcast of games simultaneously when two teams are playing at the same time.
“Fan-first has been our north star,” said Jason Coyle, Chicago Sports Network president. “We are making our content available on the platforms that our fans can watch. For those households who, for whatever reason, choose over-the-air as their primary viewing platform, they now have an opportunity to see the games and build even stronger connections with the teams and personalities they love.”
The network announced that there are roughly 600,000 Chicago Designated Market Area (DMA) homes without a pay-TV service. By using an over-the-air antenna that receives all of the channels, they can see the games and other programming on the 24/7 network.
It was reported last week, DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM subscribers will have CHSN on the same channel that NBC Sports Network currently airs for a seamless transition. It has yet to be announced which other streaming services will carry CHSN. There are plans to offer the RSN on premium platforms and to “push the limit on advanced production offerings and high-end experiences, including a dramatic expansion of 4k-quality games while preserving customary conveniences such as pausing and recording,” according to the CHSN website.