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NBC Sports Chicago Could Be The Next RSN Dropped by DIRECTV, Dish, AT&T TV NOW, & Sling TV

Fans might be without Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago White Sox Games

For fans of the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls — it may be a rough start to the NHL and NBA seasons, before the team ever steps on the ice or court. NBC Sports Chicago, which carries the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls games has yet to re-up their deals AT&T and Dish Network. If the two sides can’t come to deal by October 1st — the channel will be dropped by Dish and streaming service Sling TV, as well as DIRECTV, AT&T TV, and AT&T TV NOW. And unlike in past seasons, the teams won’t be broadcasting any games on WGN.

The major holdup in the negotiation — is just how much the services should be paying for the channel, given that the Chicago Cubs are moving to their own RSN called Marquee Sports Network, which is jointly owned by the team and Sinclair Broadcast Group. Unlike some other NBC-owned Regional Sports Networks — NBC Sports Chicago is a joint venture between NBC and the owners of the Bulls, White Sox, and Blackhawks.

In what has been a recent trend, Regional Sports Networks have been dropped by services as prices keep creeping up. In July, Dish and Sling TV dropped all 21 Fox Regional Sports Networks. Then, in late-August — Altitude, which carries Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Rockies games, were dropped by Comcast, Dish, and AT&T.

Unlike Altitude, which isn’t available on any Live TV Streaming Services, local Blackhawks and Bulls fans do have options NBC Sports Chicago gets dropped. The channel is available on fuboTV, PlayStation Vue, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV

DTV STREAM Fubo Hulu Philo Sling TV YouTube
Free Trial Free Trial Sign Up Free Trial Get 50% Off Sign Up
$79.99 $91.99 $76.99 $25 $40 $40 $72.99
NBC Sports Chicago + $29 - - -

Jason Gurwin has has spent the last 10 years in the technology, media, entertainment industries. For The Streamable, he specializes in all things media like streaming services, devices, and cord cutting.

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