New Chicago Sports Network to Broadcast White Sox, Blackhawks & Bulls

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X.

Chicago White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf has struck a deal with Standard Media to launch a new regional sports network this October which will show the games of the two teams as well as the Chicago Blackhawks. NBC Sports Chicago, which has had the regional TV rights to the three teams, is expected to shutter in October when the new RSN (regional sports network) begins.

The new channel will be called the Chicago Sports Network. The RSN will begin broadcasting the Blackhawks and Bulls games in October 2024 and the White Sox in 2025. NBC Sports Chicago will continue to broadcast the White Sox games in the Chicago market throughout the rest of the 2024 season.

The new channel’s executive team said the Chicago Sports Network will be available in Illinois, and parts of Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. When it launches, it plans to have carriage agreements in place with cable and satellite operators, streaming services, and will also be available via a free local channel, although it did not say how many games would be free.

“As we set out to design the network, we began and ended every discussion with the simple question: What is best for our fans?” Jason Coyle, the network’s new president, said in a statement. “What is the best approach to distribution? How can we push the limits of both in-game and studio production? We plan to serve our fans on as many platforms and in as many markets as our rights allow.”

The launch of the Chicago Sports Network will not affect Marquee Sports Network which will continue to be the regional broadcaster of the Chicago Cubs games.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.