Blackhawks set to undergo major network change
The Chicago Blackhawks may have a new home next season, as their rights with NBC Sports Chicago will expire this coming October.
It seems likely that if the Blackhawks and NBC Sports Chicago don't sign an extension soon for the next 6 months, the Hawks, Bulls, and White Sox will share a new home.
That home will be a regional sports network, Stadium which is housed in the United Center could turn into an RSN should the need arise.
Stadium could see distribution on pay-for-TV providers and a direct-to-consumer app. However, teams are still in discussions for the future.
While RSNs like Bally Sports are in decline nationally, which is operated by Diamond Sports Network is in bankruptcy court and will seek to be reorganized soon.
In the meantime, the Stadium RSN could find carriage on Direct TV and Comcast to gain viewership, as Jerry Reinsdorf seeks partners to carry the games on air.
The platform was launched in 2017 by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which supplied Bally what was considered nongame programming, only to offload it onto Diamond, later leading to Reinsdorf taking majority control.
The staff at NBCSCH and Stadium could be affected by the move, many have been through several changes from the network and move to Stadium.
NBCSCH could end up following Ted Leonsis's lead and leave their NBC RSN and rebrand, as when NBC Sports Washington left NBC, it became the Monumental Sports Network which aired Washington Capitals and Wizards games.
In order to do so, Leonsis had to buy his share of NBCUniversal to complete the move, and it looks like Reinsdorf is following his example.
| POLL | ||
Do you think that Stadium airing Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox games is a good idea? | ||
| Yes | 157 | 34.6 % |
| No | 261 | 57.5 % |
| Hate Bally/NBC | 36 | 7.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
