Blackhawks Reach Out To CSN About Airing Several Home Games
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Blackhawks In Talks To Televise
Some Home Games This Season |
The Blackhawks have begun discussions with Comcast SportsNet (CSN) about televising some home games this season. No definitive agreement was reached, as the net’s schedule was developed over a year ago, but the parties are working on a long-term strategy to broadcast games from the United Center. Televising home games would mark a departure from the policy of Bill Wirtz, the Blackhawks owner who died in September. Wirtz did not allow the team's home games to be televised, believing that doing so would hurt attendance (THE DAILY). CSN Chicago President Jim Corno said, “Exact details of which games will air on our network should be determined in the very near future, and an official announcement will occur at that time” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/23). A source said that the Red Wings-Blackhawks game November 11 is “99[%]’ certain [to] be the first home game shown on CSN, the first of roughly 5-7 home games the rest of this season.” The source added that CSN was “‘shocked’ that [Blackhawks Chair] Rocky Wirtz wanted to put home games on TV” (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 10/23). Sports marketing experts said that it “shouldn’t be hard to drum up advertisers once the home games are scheduled.” One source said, “Sponsors are calling. They’re dialing the phone off the hook with a ton of interest” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/23). In Chicago, Ed Sherman writes, “Fans being able to watch home games on TV will fast-forward the revival of the franchise.” Sherman: “Hockey fans haven’t disappeared in Chicago. We’ve just gone into a hole under the ice, waiting for a reason to come out again.” The Blackhawks are 5-3-0 so far this season (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/23).
SHARKS, FSN BAY AREA REACH DEAL: In San Jose, John Ryan reported the Sharks and FSN Bay Area have agreed to lift a blackout on the ten games the net is not showing this year so they can be broadcast locally on the NHL Center Ice package. The opposing team’s telecasts will be used (MERCEXTRA.com, 10/20).
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