The Chicago Sports Network and Astound RCN have reached a carriage agreement, and those customers should see the new home of the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks when it launches at 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Sun-Times has learned.
Negotiations are ongoing between CHSN and Comcast, the largest cable provider in the area, but those customers likely won’t be able to access the channel at launch.
CHSN already announced it will be available on DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-Verse, as well as broadcast Channels 62.2 and 62.3, subchannels of WJYS-Channel 62 out of Hammond, Indiana. Fans must purchase and connect an antenna to receive the over-the-air signal. The network’s website, CHSN.com, provides instructions.
CHSN’s first program will be “Game On, Chicago,” a two-hour special hosted by Bulls play-by-play voice Adam Amin that will introduce the network. The Hawks’ preseason game against the Wild will follow.
Earlier Monday, CHSN announced its three daily studio shows:
“The Chicago Lead,” which will cover the city’s sports scene and serve as the network’s “cornerstone show.” Brooke Fletcher, Camron Smith and The Score’s David Haugh are among the hosts.
“The Big College Football Show,” with former Michigan star Jake Butt and former Ohio State standout Joshua Perry.
“The Big Pro Football Show,” with Haugh, NBC 5 sports anchor Ruthie Polinsky and former NFL tight end Clay Harbor.
“When we developed these shows, it was most important to us to create a vehicle to serve and connect with Chicago sports fans in a new and compelling way, creating a nightly destination and welcoming home for fans of all Chicago teams,” network president Jason Coyle said in the release.
“As part of that process, we’re also building out a multiplatform approach and interactive fan platform that will be introduced in the months ahead.”