Chicago Sports Network expected to launch direct-to-consumer service this week

13 comments
  1. From Sun-Times’ Jeff Agrest:

    Chicago Sports Network is expected to launch its direct-to-consumer service this week, the Sun-Times has learned. The network will announce details such as price and programming in the days ahead.

    CHSN initially was cautious about releasing its DTC service out of respect for its distributors. But with a dozen on board and [Comcast still holding out](https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media/2024/10/24/standard-media-chicago-sports-network-comcast-soohyung-kim-stan-knott-ballys-cubs-marquee-sports-network), the network chose not to delay.

    Those distributors include U-Verse and Astound/RCN cable, DirecTV satellite and DirecTV Stream and Fubo streaming services. CHSN is also available via antenna over the air on WJYS subchannels 62.2 and 62.3.

    Comcast, the largest cable provider in the area, is applying a [monthly credit to customers’ regional-sports fee](https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media/2024/11/12/chicago-sports-network-direct-to-consumer-service-dtc-comcast-blackhawks-bulls-white-sox) because CHSN’s predecessor, NBC Sports Chicago, is no longer available. An $8.85 credit has begun appearing on bills.

    Comcast’s regional-sports fee is $19.20, which customers have paid for access to Big Ten Network, Marquee Sports Network and NBCSCH. Industry insiders see the credits as a positive sign in negotiations between Comcast and CHSN, saying that providing credits, rather than adjusting the fee, indicates that Comcast expects to carry the channel at some point.

    Marquee launched its DTC service in July 2023, three years after the network launched. It costs $19.99 per month, and CHSN likely will have a similar price point.

  2. $20 per month is still absolutely insane. I feel for any Bulls fan that isn’t in range to get the games from an antenna

  3. The rumored price is $20/month if you want to watch just one team and $30/month if you wanted to watch all the teams.

  4. I mentioned this in another thread last week. I have a feeling this service is going to have a lot of quality issues.

    We already know Reinsdorf is going with the cheapest way of broadcasting games. I have to assume he went with the cheapest software company he could find and any app they put out is going to be hot garbage for a couple months before they work the bugs out.

    Spend your money wisely. Better yet, don’t give it to Jerry Reinsdorf at all.

  5. As someone who doesn’t have cable and would really only use it to watch sports, this type of thing is great for me. I could definitely see myself canceling the cubs $20/month once their season is over and then switching over to this to watch the bulls over the winter. That being said, I have zero interest in paying to watch this current team, so I won’t

  6. All three of those teams stink and there is no scenario in which I’d ever pay for a separate streaming service to see them

  7. If you buy this you’re a moron. No Chicago team is worth paying $20 a month to watch rn

  8. I got it on Fubo now, no way in hell they make any money off this. Think about how much these bullshit old money owners are bilking us. It’s sick

  9. Live in the city, did research and got a mohu antenna, research indicated it should work, but channel 62.2 and 62.3 (apparently where CHSN is on) don’t come up. I’ve tried unplugging and scanning and all of that. Any help anyone can offer?

  10. I popped $15 for an indoor antenna. That’s a little less than a beer at the UC. Reception can be a little buggy occasionally but I am able to catch the games & get frustrated believing this line up will ever pull it together. 🤷‍♂️

  11. Anyone know if these team-specific services typically have games on demand? That’s the only way this would do anything for me

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