There was an article in Crain's today about the Chicago Cubs and Tribune Company, and their exploration of a new regional sports network not unlike YES Network in partnership with Comcast. The article mentioned the Fire as one of Fox Sports Chicago's broadcast holdings (including the Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Hawks, and Rush) and specifically the Bulls and Sox whose games appear on WGN/WCIU/FSC and may result in a bidding war if such a network gets off the ground. It's worth mentioning the similar situation in NYC between YES and MSG resulted in the Metrostars getting the best local tv package in MLS, including all non-nationally televised matches, pregame and postgame shows, a weekly show, and frequent extended highlights and news on their local sports report, not to mention high-caliber production (better than a lot of espn2 matches) and JP Dellacamera as their announcer. I'm not certain something similar can or would happen in Chicago if "CubsNet" got off the ground, but I can only think the potential increase in local sports programming space to fill would be good for the club. Any thoughts, comments?
No, the Fire wouldn't necessarily get anything on the new network, but the existing outlets (namely Fox Sports Net) would suddenly lose a chunk of sports programming that the Fire could then fill. That's what happened with MSG, former home of the Yankees. And I'm firmly behind any possibility of more locally-originating soccer broadcasting, for obvious and entirely self-serving reasons. Later, COZ
I do know the lady who runs NCTV. Granted it's really small, but she has been trying to get me to work for her for about 2 years. When you say "locally-originating soccer broadcasting," do you mean something like that?
Oh please, stay away from NCTV. They dont produce anything worth watching and all the equipment they have goes to waste. NCTV=bad
No, I'm talking more along the lines of Fox Sports Chicago doing a weekly highlights show, like MSG is doing. Later, COZ
I think it would be in the Fire's best intrest to jump the FSN ship if this came about. My reasons why, Chicago is a great sport market... but its not the NY/NJ market.It doesnt have the amount of events to keep two local sport networks afloat.Yes I know WGN shows games now, but that is essentially there third tier programming.Its is no where even near the bulk. The only way FSN would survice IMO is if the cubs were the only club to flee.As soon as others start migrating the death is coming.There is no way in this day and age the Sox or Bulls could keep a network afloat.Sorry,maybe a few years ago .But MJ is long gone and Reinsdorf seems to have chased away everyone but a few dozen from COMISKEY. And the Hawks.. well we wont go there.So for the sake of the Fire ,I think they should be looking to be one of the first to migrate if this came about.As I think a Cubsnet would survive regardless.So it would be best to be first on board then quickly looking for a rescue as FSN sunk.I dont think they would get a dramatic increase in programming or cash.But it would still be a wise move. Just my thoughts.
agreed. constant sound problems. and a 5 dollar budget. i think if tom waddle can have a show on FSC pretty much anyone should be able to.
Rob Feder pours a little more fuel on here (scroll down): http://www.suntimes.com/output/feder/cst-fin-feder05.html Apparently the Tribune Co. is looking to fold most, if not all of CLTV's news operation into WGN's operation. This will free up a lot of air time on one, or both channels.
Well, if they do this, it could well make CLTV into the skeleton for a new network. They'd already have distribution and the infrastructure and could essentially start tomorrow. I could even see CLTV being CWGN instead of a regional sports net exclusively, carrying local news programming and sports (Cubs, Bulls, etc.) In any case, it would free up room on FSC and allow for a little more leverage in negotiations for the Fire, which is what this is all about anyhow.