Chicago Sports Network Agrees to OTA-TV Deal With Millennial Telecommunications' WJYS-TV

Chicago Sports Network Agrees to OTA-TV Deal With Millennial Telecommunications' WJYS-TV Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, White Sox games will be available over the air By Jason Dachman

Wednesday, September 18, 2024 - 2:00 pm

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The soon-to-launch Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) has agreed to a deal under which Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox games and the rest of CHSN programming will to televised via an over-the-air (OTA) agreement with Millennial Telecommunications' WJYS-TV. Games will be televised on Channel 62.2 and Channel 62.3. Both channels will convert to HD and carry full-time CHSN programming beginning Oct. 1. Having two digital channels enables simultaneous broadcast of games when two teams are playing at the same time.

Fan-first has been our north star, says Chicago Sports Network President Jason Coyle. We are making our content available on the platforms that our fans can watch. Households who, for whatever reason, choose over-the-air as their primary viewing platform, now have an opportunity to see the games and build even stronger connections with the teams and personalities they love.

For the roughly 600,000 Chicago Designated Market Area (DMA) homes without a pay-TV service, an over-the-air antenna that receives all of the channels will be necessary to see the games.

CHSN's broadcast schedule will include locally broadcast regular-season games, selected preseason games, and selected coverage of playoff matchups. In addition to live game broadcasts, the network will provide first-class pre/postgame shows, in-depth commentary from seasoned sports analysts, and 24/7 multisport programming. CHSN will broadcast from state-of-the-art, fan-immersive studios located in Chicago's United Center and Guaranteed Rate Field.

Pending league approvals, CHSN, a joint venture of the three teams and Standard Media, will reach a widely expanded Midwest footprint, comprising Illinois and parts of Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The network will launch Oct. 1 with Blackhawks and Bulls preseason games. The first CHSN White Sox game will be televised in March 2025. All remaining 2024 White Sox games through Sept. 29 will continue to be televised on NBC Sports Chicago.

CHSN will deliver more than 300 live Blackhawks, Bulls, and Sox games annually, along with pre/postgame coverage and 24/7 multisport programming. CHSN will broadcast from production studios in both United Center and Guaranteed Rate Field. The network is in the midst of building its staff and has begun hiring.

Coyle, who has served in Chicago-based sports-media leadership roles for more than 20 years, was previously CEO of Stadium, the 24/7 digital sports network owned by White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf (who purchased a controlling ownership stake in Stadium from Sinclair last year). Reinsdorf also co-owns United Center with Wirtz Corp., which owns the Blackhawks.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/09/18/chicago-sports-network-agrees-t...
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