Nov. 21--An impasse over carriage rights fees may result in a blackout of Comcast SportsNet Chicago for Dish Network subscribers beginning next month, potentially cutting off Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks games, along with other sports programming for thousands of Chicago-area viewers.
The agreement between CSN Chicago and Dish Network is set to expire on Dec. 1 and negotiations have stalled, according to sources.
NBC Sports Regional Networks, which has an ownership stake and manages CSN Chicago, is seeking "fair market" increase in fees from Dish Network to continue carrying its programming.
CSN Chicago has launched an on air campaign and issued a statement Thursday night warning viewers of the potential blackout, seeking to enlist their support in negotiations with Dish:
"With the upcoming expiration of our agreement, we are growing increasingly concerned that DISH is not willing to work toward mutually acceptable terms for continuing carriage of Comcast SportsNet Chicago. This unwillingness to recognize the value of our live game coverage of the Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs and White Sox, as well as exclusive Bears programming, is disappointing."
CSN Chicago has never been blacked out by a cable or satellite provider in its 10-year history, sources said.
Dish is engaged in similar carriage fee negotiations with other cable networks, including Turner Broadcasting, recently dropping its CNN channel from its lineup, with agreements for TNT and TBS set to expire next month. Dish and CBS reached an agreement Thursday to extend the deadline for a new contract, averting a similar blackout of the network.
rchannick@tribpub.com
Twitter @RobertChannick
