Wirtz calls Hawks’ dwindling viewership on CHSN ‘unacceptable’

With how their young team performed on the ice late in the season, the Blackhawks created some optimism for the future.

Off the ice, pessimism reigns, especially among fans, about whether they can easily watch Blackhawks games. The Blackhawks’ first season airing on Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) couldn’t have gone much worse. The TV channel they co-own with the Bulls and White Sox was hurt by its limited carriage, most notably the lack of a Comcast deal.

All season, CHSN and the Blackhawks weren’t willing to disclose how many fans were watching the network. CHSN never responded to a request earlier in the season. But we have a better idea now. On Monday, a Sports Business Journal report said the Blackhawks’ viewership this season on CHSN was down 78%, or about 40,000 homes, from last season.

Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said Monday the report’s numbers didn’t take into account all the available metrics, but they were close. Wirtz said in March he was hopeful of creating more access to CHSN in the future. He was firmer Monday in his response to the latest numbers.

“At the end of the day, the availability of our games on TV this past season was unacceptable — and our fans deserve better,” Wirtz said. “I am focused on finding potential solutions for next season with our partners at CHSN. We are about to celebrate 100 years of hockey as well as usher in the next generation on the ice. I am committed to ensuring our fans can see that.”

The easiest solution would be carriage on Comcast, which remains the largest cable carrier in the Chicago area. The Chicago Sun-Times recently reported WGN TV could be another landing spot for Blackhawks games. A late-season Blackhawks game was also broadcast on WCIU.

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