looGetting the Chicago Blackhawks’ games to their fans has been quite a challenge.
The Chicago Sports Network is still unavailable on Comcast’s Xfinity, which is a significant issue given that Xfinity is the largest cable provider in Chicago.
There are five key issues that need to be clarified regarding this problem for the Blackhawks. By “clearing up,” it means providing context on what’s happening. Fans have every reason to be frustrated, as the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) is taking too long to finalize a deal before the season opener in Winnipeg.
The first issue that needs to be addressed is the delay itself, so fans know where to properly direct their frustration.
One reason providers are distancing themselves from regional sports networks (RSNs) is due to the high carrier fees these networks demand to cover the hefty broadcast rights fees that teams want. Providers are beginning to realize that RSNs cater to a niche audience, making them reluctant to pay those high fees.
They also fear passing these costs onto customers, who are already abandoning traditional cable services. The rise of cord-cutting has fueled this issue. As a result, providers are pushing to place RSNs on higher-tier packages, which reduces the fees paid to carriers. Team owners oppose this because it could result in lower revenue from TV deals.
It appears that the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) emerged as a result of NBC pulling out of the regional sports network (RSN) business. Part of CHSN’s existence is believed to be due to Chicago Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf supporting his Stadium content.
Another reason for CHSN’s creation is NBC’s withdrawal from operating RSNs. Partnering with NBC had its perks, as it ensured distribution across all tiers. But with NBC stepping away from managing RSNs, CHSN became necessary. The Blackhawks could have gone solo, but the NBC partnership was already coming to an end.
It’s also important to clarify that CHGO Blackhawks is not the same as CHSN. Jay Zawaski, Mario Tirabassi, and Gregg Boysen cover and discuss the team, but just because both names begin with “CH” doesn’t mean the All-City team is responsible for this situation.
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