Chicago Sports Network Finally Unveils Big Blackhawks Details For Local Viewers
Last week, we discussed a concerning lack of information from the Blackhawks’ new TV home, Chicago Sports Network (CHSN). The news that fans would be getting a new way to watch the games was an exciting one, but with time ticking on the season opener, it quickly became nerve wracking, with those same fans being left in the dark on where and when they would be able to watch Chicago’s games. This week, we finally got answers to some of the biggest questions posed by local fans eager to catch the Blackhawks’ games on TV this season.
On Monday morning, CHSN checked in with fans by announcing channel numbers for its highly anticipated over-the-air agreement with WJYS TV. The network will have games televised on Channel 62.2 and Channel 62.3, with both channels converting to HD and carrying full-time CHSN programming, which is set to take effect on October 1.
CHSN President Jason Coyle said that an over-the-air antenna will be required to see the games for the roughly 600,000 homes without a pay-TV service in the Chicago area. A detailed FAQ on how to buy and install a digital antenna can be found on CHSN.com.
As a reminder, Chicago Sports Network announced its in-studio team, which can be seen in a new state-of-the-art studio in the United Center atrium. Pat Boyle, Caley Chelios, and Tony Granato will return to the studio, and new play-by-play voice Rick Ball is taking over for the ousted Chris Vosters.
On Wednesday morning, the network finally checked the first big box for many Blackhawks fans. CHSN put out a release that said it had reached a “multiyear distribution agreement to provide the network and its live local game telecasts for the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox across a five-state footprint, including most of Illinois, Iowa and parts of Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, on the very first day of availability Oct. 1, 2024.” It said CHSN would be available on DirecTV via satellite, taking the channel slots of the three teams’ former home. CHSN sources said they were still negotiating with Comcast/Xfinity, so we should get more news on that front in the coming days.
Though CHSN is finally getting on the right track, there are still a few questions/shortcomings to deal with. There still isn’t a way to watch a few of Chicago’s upcoming preseason games. Since CHSN doesn’t officially take over until October 1, they can’t show the three games played in September. The opener on September 25 will be available on Blackhawks.com, but the two following road games are only available on the radio. That isn’t a huge deal, but definitely a point of contention with a week before the first game.