CHSN's Comcast Deal Helps Business, Hurts Blackhawks Fans

However, the deal also included terminating over-the-air (OTA) carriage in every Illinois market. OTA wasn't meant as an archaic way for fans of the Bulls, Blackhawks, or White Sox to use as a temporary solution until CHSN could get its mess figured out. It was advertised as one of the promising selling points of the channel. Fans could watch their team for free. 

From a press release: “As we set out to design the network, we began and ended every discussion with the simple question: What is best for our fans? What is the best approach to distribution? How can we push the limits of both in-game and studio production? We plan to serve our fans on as many platforms and in as many markets as our rights allow.”

Forcing fans to figure out how to use a clothes hanger to watch Blackhawks games is one thing, but leaving that as an option was a positive. And yes, there are many better ways to make your product more accessible. Victory+ is a free app that allows Dallas Stars fans to watch their games... for free. 

Realistically, this was probably a sticking point in negotiations with Comcast. From a business standpoint, having your product available free of charge hurts business. 

But hurting your fanbase does more damage in the long run. Building and maintaining a relationship with fans from every background matters. Sports are more than just a business. Sports are how people identify with the cities they grew up in. Sports are how people connect and build relationships. 

The Chicago Blackhawks represent so much more than just an entertainment business. They represent a hockey team with a history that dates back to 1926. A name rooted in a World War I unit. A logo representing a historical figure who fought for the rights of indigenous people. 

The Blackhawks are a team that can bridge the gap between every facet of Chicago culture. Those who live in the city. Those who live in Naperville. Even your cousin living in the cornfields. 

With a team that has a deep prospect pool and the potential to be great again, that product is now harder to watch. In a city that's dominated by Bears football, Blackhawks hockey is more difficult to find. For the fan who relied on OTA to watch their favorite team because these subscriptions really do add up, they are forgotten about. 

I don't think we'll go back to the days of confusing the Wolves with the Blackhawks, but it's a damn shame that it's in the conversation.