June 4, 200421 yr I'm looking forward to this, I just hope my Comcast carrier picks the channel up since FSN is basically going to be a dud of a channel. Countdown on schedule for Comcast SportsNet Chicago BY JOHN JACKSON SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Advertisement While local sports fans are caught up in the fortunes (or misfortunes) of the Cubs and White Sox this summer, much work is being done behind the scenes to get Comcast SportsNet Chicago ready to hit the air in the fall. Starting with the NHL season in October, the startup network will replace Fox Sports Net as the cable home of the Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and Sox. All four teams and Comcast are partners and will share the profits the new channel generates. CSN is scheduled to begin programming on Oct. 1. ''We're right on schedule,'' said Jim Corno, the former general manager of FSN Chicago who has been heading the start-up operation since March. ''We have temporary facilities worked out at CLTV in Oak Brook and temporary offices set up downtown at the Apparel Center. We've hired most of the senior staff, and many people have come over from Fox Sports Net.'' On the surface, a switch from FSN to the new Comcast channel doesn't seem like a big change, but Corno promises viewers will notice a difference. ''One of the biggest [things] is the amount of local programming,'' he said. ''We'll have 81/2 hours of local-originated shows per day.'' Although exact details still are being worked out, a typical programming day might include a schedule something like this: 5-10 a.m.: Continuous replays of the local half-hour newscast that originally aired at midnight. Noon: An updated version of the half-hour newscast. 5:30 p.m.: A to-be-determined local sports talk show. 6 p.m.: A half-hour newscast. 7 p.m.: A pregame show. 7:30 p.m.: A game. 10 p.m.: An hour newscast. The new station will be modeled after the Comcast SportsNet channel in Philadelphia, which has virtually all local programming. That should be a big hit in a provincial market like Chicago. ''I think the fans in Chicago are going to see an emphasis on the local teams,'' Corno said. ''I hope we become a point of destination for local fans.'' The other noticeable change should be in the quality of the picture during game broadcasts. Every home game of every team will be offered in high definition right from the start. Those are the plans. Now it's the job of Corno and the people he hires -- he hopes to complete his senior staff in a couple of weeks -- to make it happen. ''I'm really pleased with the the group of people we have,'' Corno said. ''There's a vision of what we should be. It's a lot of work, but it should be exciting.'' If you have Comcast cable, you definitely will have access to the new channel. If you have another cable or satellite provider, a distribution deal between that company and CSN has to be worked out. The plan is for as wide a distribution as possible. If you currently get FSN, you'll likely get CSN -- but it's far from a certainty.
June 4, 200421 yr I sure hope i get this channel down in Champaign in the fall, or i'm gonna be pissed So does this mean no more I, Max? Or54321? Note the tears are in green
June 4, 200421 yr I sure hope i get this channel down in Champaign in the fall, or i'm gonna be pissed i'm about 1 1/2 hours west of you. i better get this station too...
June 4, 200421 yr Author I don't know how smart Comcast is, but for everyone that has FSN Chicago, they should just replace that with this Sportsnet Chicago station.
June 4, 200421 yr Will this be available through direct tv? Most likely. Comcast Atlantic, Southeast, etc. are.
June 4, 200421 yr Down in champaign i'll have insight cable. I just shot them an email me too. can you let me/us in on their reply...
June 4, 200421 yr Reply i got back: "We currently in negotiations with the new channel to add it to our channel line-up thank you" Sounds promising
June 4, 200421 yr Reply i got back: "We currently in negotiations with the new channel to add it to our channel line-up thank you" Sounds promising shweet. thanks man...
June 4, 200421 yr Reply i got back: "We currently in negotiations with the new channel to add it to our channel line-up thank you" Sounds promising awesome
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.