Fubo adds CHSN for carriage

Available for subscribers in Chicago area starting today

In a small victory for the beleaguered regional sports network, Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) signed a deal with virtual provider Fubo, just in time for Friday night’s game against the Bucks at Milwaukee, 

“Fubo continues to deliver more access for sports fans to watch their favorite teams, and they have made it clear that Chicago sports and their fans are an important part of that growth,” said CHSN president Jason Coyle in a statement. “As we continue to aim to be on every platform where our fans watch, we are excited about the opportunity the Fubo platform provides our fans through their flexible billing terms and availability everywhere.”

The deal means Fubo subscribers in the Chicago, South Bend, and Rockford areas would have access to Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox games and other CHSN programming. 

In Indianapolis, where WHMB recently signed on as an over-the-air outlet at channel 40.2, CHSN programming will also be available on Fubo, except for Bulls games, as it’s the media territory of the rival Pacers. 

So far, CHSN has deals in place with the over-the-air digital subchannels of WJYS Chicago; and WNDU South Bend, In.; WSLN Rockford; cable TV providers Astound/RCN, U-Verse, and DirecTV; and virtual providers DirecTVStream and now Fubo – but not Comcast/Xfinity, Chicago’s largest media provider with an estimated one million subscribers as negotiations are continuing, but progress has been slow. Also missing is YouTubeTV, which is unlikely to get on board as the virtual provider currently doesn’t carry any RSNs.

If you are considering Fubo, it’s not exactly cheap – after a free trial, it’s $59.99 for the first month and $79.99 for every month afterward. 

[Editor’s Note: An earlier draft misidentified CHSN’s Rockford affiliate.]