DIRECTV Becomes First to Offer New Chicago Sports Network
DIRECTV will offer Chicago Sports Network on the same channels that used to be occupied by NBC Sports Chicago.
DIRECTV is having quite a week. Not only did the cable channel distributor agree to a new carriage deal with Disney that quashed a blackout of ESPN and other channels, but it has now announced a new partnership with Chicago Sports Network. DIRECTV is the first distributor to announce a deal with CHSN, which will deliver Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls games to in-market fans starting in October, as well as Chicago White Sox games beginning in 2025.
Key Details:
- DIRECTV will distribute CHSN across a five-state footprint.
- The same channels used for NBC Sports Chicago will now be reserved for CHSN.
- Viewers will need to subscribe to a CHOICE package or higher to get CHSN on DIRECTV.
Fans who were accustomed to watching the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox on NBC Sports Chicago will have no problem finding the new Chicago Sports Network on DIRECTV. The network will be available through DIRECTV via Internet and DIRECTV STREAM on channel 665, and on AT&T U-Verse on channel 1741(HD)/741(SD), the same slots NBC Sports Chicago used to occupy. Chicago Sports Network is set to launch on Oct. 1.
“We have always prided ourselves on being a sports leader and intend to remain at the forefront,” said DIRECTV Chief Content Officer Rob Thun. “The most important element in the media landscape today is consumer choice, and that means ensuring the most loyal fans can always connect with their favorite teams, while other homes with equally as avid interests can avoid those extra costs. CHSN and DIRECTV both believe in the unique power of local sports teams to unite the communities they call home, and we will continue collaborating with the top leagues, local franchises, and media partners to cultivate future generations of fans.”
DIRECTV will offer CHSN in five states: most of Illinois and Iowa, along with parts of Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The channel will be available in DIRECTV’s CHOICE packages or higher, which is standard operating procedure as far as which DIRECTV subscription plans carry regional sports networks (RSNs). The base price of DIRECTV STREAM’s CHOICE package is $108.99 per month currently, but will rise to $114.99 in October.
“This agreement establishes an immediate foundation for CHSN and aligns us with one of the foremost innovators in sports media,” said Chicago Sports Network President Jason Coyle. “We are excited about DIRECTV’s commitment to Chicago and its fervent fans, which is evident in our collaborative efforts to deliver upon our fan-first approach, commitment to quality, and engaging game-day experiences for everyone who loves Chicago sports.”
Chicago Sports Network will differ from other RSNs in one important aspect: it will also be available to watch over the air. On Monday, the channel announced that it had partnered with local Chicago stations to put Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox games on free broadcast networks for in-market customers.
Thanks to the DIRECTV distribution deal, customers now have even more choices when it comes to how they’ll welcome CHSN into their home. More such deals are expected between the channel and major cable companies, and an in-market streaming option could be a possibility in the future as well.
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