The Chicago Blackhawks are facing significant challenges both on and off the ice this preseason. As if their struggles with scoring goals and defending against opponents weren’t enough, it appears many fans aren’t even able to watch the games unfold due to major broadcasting issues. The team’s new television partner, the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), is still unavailable on Xfinity, the largest cable provider in Chicago, leaving many fans in the dark.
As the regular season approaches, concerns are mounting about the Blackhawks’ ability to improve their on-ice performance. Failing to score or prevent goals during preseason may not count, but it does not bode well for when the games start to matter. And while the team can work on their play, another glaring issue looms: local fans’ inability to tune in and watch their beloved team.
The Blackhawks, along with the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox, formed CHSN as a replacement for NBC Sports Chicago after the network left the regional sports business. The idea was to have more control over their broadcasts in the era of cord-cutting and to sidestep the financial issues facing Diamond Sports, the operator of Bally Sports, which is struggling with bankruptcy and has been shedding MLB, NBA, and NHL contracts.
Unfortunately, the transition to CHSN has been far from smooth. Major carriers like Xfinity and YouTube TV have yet to strike a deal to carry the new sports network. This has left a significant portion of the Blackhawks’ fan base without access to the games.
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The situation is particularly frustrating for younger fans, many of whom use YouTube TV and have no way of watching the team’s broadcasts. To make matters worse, YouTube TV has shown little interest in picking up CHSN, further alienating this demographic.
Xfinity, owned by Comcast, is the biggest cable provider in the Chicago area, and while a deal might be possible, it seems Comcast is insisting on putting CHSN in its most expensive package—a move that could limit access for many fans.
As GM Kyle Davidson and the team look to address on-ice performance issues, they’re also having to grapple with an off-ice issue that could alienate the fan base if a solution isn’t found soon. With the regular season fast approaching, time is running out for the Blackhawks to fix their broadcasting troubles and get their games back on TV.
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