The Media Notepad: Report: New CHSN close to deal with DirecTV

Also: WGN-TV’s Jewell Hilary gets promoted; FCC head rejects Trump ABC license revocation request Three months after its official announcement, the Sun-Times reported Thursday the new Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) is close to a deal with DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and U-Verse.  This comes as an email was sent to YouTubeTV subscribers (including me) Wednesday stating NBC Sports Chicago – the […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: The White Sox uses the CBS Chicago blueprint for its Fan Alienation Plan

Chicago’s South Side MLB team resembles CBS Chicago’s ratings disasters in every way possible  In the early 2000s, then-Chicago Tribune media critic Steve Johnson noted the management at CBS-owned WBBM-TV implemented what he called a “Viewer Alienation Plan”, a series of bad decisions repelling viewers from the station throughout the 1990s, including tabloid newscasts, awful anchor pairings, and a deer-in-headlight […]

CNBC expands sports business reporting, launching “CNBC Sport”

NBCUniversal’s business network increases coverage on the financial side of sports CNBC is expanding its sports coverage with CNBC Sport, focusing on the intersection of sports and business for its online and TV platforms. “The spotlight on sports has never been brighter with more money at play than ever before,” said CNBC President KC Sullivan in a press release. “CNBC […]

Marquee’s future on Comcast uncertain

Contract with Chicago’s largest cable provider expires soon At the same time the Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox are deserting NBC Sports for  Chicago Sports Network with Standard Media, now comes word Marquee – home to the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Sky, could lose their prime channel space on Comcast this fall as their contract expires. It’s a situation […]

Blackhawks replace Chris Vosters with Rick Ball as play-by-play voice

Move made as team moves to new Chicago Sports Network in October  In a surprise move, the Chicago Blackhawks have parted ways with play-by-play voice Chris Vosters after two seasons and replaced him with veteran Rick Ball, whose work included the Calgary Flames and Hockey Night In Canada. The announcement comes as the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox are moving […]

It’s official: Chicago Sports Network to launch Oct. 1

Replaces NBC Sports Chicago, which will close The proposed new White Sox-Bulls-Blackhawks regional sports network you’ve been reading about for months now has a name: The Chicago Sports Network. And it is becoming a reality this fall.  The new Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) will be the new home of Chicago’s three sports teams beginning in October. The network will feature […]