Chicago Blackhawks on free TV?

[KML0224]

I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned already, but the NHL Chicago Blackhawks will have most, if not all of their games on over-the-air TV for the next three seasons, primarily on WGN-TV (CW) channel 9, in a partnership with Comcast SportsNet of sorts. Come to think of it, unless NBC airs a couple, are the Boston Bruins on over-the-air TV anymore? I know they were a fixture on WSBK-TV (IND) channel 38 for years. I get NESN (New England Sports Network) in greater Hartford and I never see them mention "free" TV.

 

[KeithE4]

The sound you hear is Dollar Bill Wirtz spinning in his grave. ;D His son actually has a clue.

WGN-TV will carry as many as 20 games. The linked article doesn't say if they'll be on the Superstation or just carried on Channel 9 in Chicago. The rest will be on CSN.

Link: ChicagoSports.com

 

[Mediafrog+]

This might be a good indication of a long overdue rennaissance for the once proud Blackhawks. The days of Hull, Mikita etc. seem like a million years ago.

Dollar Bill had become the Hugh Culverhouse of the NHL. Finally some common sense has returned.

 

[bhayes1016]

I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned already, but the NHL Chicago Blackhawks will have most, if not all of their games on over-the-air TV for the next three seasons, primarily on WGN-TV (CW) channel 9, in a partnership with Comcast SportsNet of sorts. Come to think of it, unless NBC airs a couple, are the Boston Bruins on over-the-air TV anymore? I know they were a fixture on WSBK-TV (IND) channel 38 for years. I get NESN (New England Sports Network) in greater Hartford and I never see them mention "free" TV.

The Bruins have been cable-only for several years now (they own NESN along with the Red Sox, who are also cable-only).
The Blackhawks deal is for 20 games on WGN, and indications are it will only be on the Chicago WGN, not the Superstation feed.

 

[EnbyCee]

I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned already, but the NHL Chicago Blackhawks will have most, if not all of their games on over-the-air TV for the next three seasons, primarily on WGN-TV (CW) channel 9, in a partnership with Comcast SportsNet of sorts. Come to think of it, unless NBC airs a couple, are the Boston Bruins on over-the-air TV anymore? I know they were a fixture on WSBK-TV (IND) channel 38 for years. I get NESN (New England Sports Network) in greater Hartford and I never see them mention "free" TV.

The Bruins have been cable-only for several years now (they own NESN along with the Red Sox, who are also cable-only).
The Blackhawks deal is for 20 games on WGN, and indications are it will only be on the Chicago WGN, not the Superstation feed.

Yeah, the NHL won't let them use the Superstation. IMO that's dumb, the league needs all the exposure it can get being stuck with an obscure channel like Versus as its main US broadcast partner.