The Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) will debut its own direct-to-consumer streaming service on Friday that will offer access to live games and related programming without a cable or satellite subscription.
The streaming service will allow users of the CHSN app to watch live games from the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox by purchasing a streaming subscription for a separate fee.
That fee does not come cheap: It will cost $20 per month to follow one team, or $30 per month for full access to all games offered by CHSN. Still, it gives Chicago-area sports fans an opportunity to watch live games through CHSN, especially if they don’t have cable, live in an area where CHSN programming isn’t available through broadcast TV or if they subscribe to Comcast’s Xfinity TV, which has yet to reach a distribution deal for the channel.
In addition to live games from the three teams, the CHSN streaming service will allow sports fans to watch pre- and post-game coverage with coaches, athletes and others, along with shoulder programming through CHSN’s on-demand catalog — though only if they pay for the $30 per month package.
Cable and satellite customers with CHSN in their subscriptions will be able to authenticate with their pay TV credentials and watch live games and on-demand programming without any separate fees; that feature is coming in the next few weeks, the broadcaster said.
“We are excited to offer Chicago sports fans a one-of-a-kind digital product enabling immediate access to live games and a complement of personalized, on-demand content,” Jason Coyle, the President of CHSN, said in a statement. “Today’s announcement is the next step in our long-term commitment to Chicago sports fans everywhere, and is another new and compelling way for us to serve and connect with them.”
CHSN says it partnered with ViewLift to develop and deploy its streaming service. ViewLift has worked with a number of other sports broadcasters and brands over the years, including the National Hockey League, NBC Universal, TEGNA and LIV Golf, on similar streaming initiatives.
