Government can’t fix everything
Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller
* More from Gov. Pritzker’s Q and A today…
Q: Is there anything you can do to help all the Black Hawks and Bulls fans who pay millions to Comcast and aren’t getting anything for their money because they can’t watch, you know, sports at night? Is there something, you know, the state could do to help these consumers?
Pritzker: I haven’t been asked to be involved in that by any of the parties that you’re referring to, and so I don’t know if there are, you know… they should make themselves known if that’s the case. But the fact is that private businesses, other than the normal things that government can do to support private businesses, which we do, you know, want to be able to manage their own futures together. I also would like to be able to access these things more easily [chuckles], but it’s very difficult…
One thing they could do for now is buy a TV antenna.
- ElTacoBandito - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:21 pm:
Really, the problem is Comcast? How about the teams that decided to start a new sport channel without making sure it would be picked up by the biggest cable provider in town.
Though I’m certain that Riehnsdorf submitted an offer to Comcast that only a fool would reject. s/
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:22 pm:
I wonder if my completely vanishing interest in watching Cubs baseball was because they finally caught the golden ring in a World Series, or because of how terribly they handled their media presence on Comcast.
Either way, after 40 years the last time I watched or attended a Cubs game was in 2016.
Something for those team owners to think about.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:24 pm:
I try to limit my criticisms of the media, but that is a pretty stupid question.
- Interim Retiree - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:31 pm:
–One thing they could do for now is buy a TV antenna–
I have one but live outside the Quad Cities & not 1 station is broadcasting any Bulls or Blackhawks. 1 station last season actually carried some of the Milwaukee Bucks games.
BTW: When it comes to baseball, MLB Network blacks out Cubs, Sox, Brewers, Cardinals & Twins.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:36 pm:
My consumption of Cubs content has been reduced by 90% or more since they moved to Marquee and I don’t get it. Given no carriage agreement, I suspect my consumption of Blackhawks/Bulls content will be reduced likewise.
In contrast, the new Phoenix Suns owner struck a deal to get them on *broadcast* TV when Diamond went bankrupt and he was treated like a hero there. Something to think about if you’re an owner.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:36 pm:
And yeah, I could get an antenna, but nah
- TJ - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:36 pm:
I love the Hawks and like the Bulls, but there’s fundamentally zero chance that I’m buying an antenna. What is it, 1997?
That being said, Reindsorf and Wirtz launching a channel when they have no leverage and being surprised that Comcast isn’t throwing them a bone is entirely on them. The morons in the UC goofed hardcore, and Comcast knows full and well that it’s only a matter of time before the teams cave and accept being put on a higher tier package or fork over huge concessions to remain on their previous tier of coverage.
And the reporter needs to read the room. There are literally thousands of more pressing things on Pritzker’s plate than a sports channel.
- stateandlake - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:39 pm:
For context, the new network is being broadcast over the air in Chicago on channels 62.2 and 62.3. However, I live too far north of Chicago for my HDTV antenna to pick them up. I would have to put up a big antenna on my roof. Fortunately I am able to get them through U-Verse.
- UGH... - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:41 pm:
Long time Hawks fan…I have an antenna but there is no signal in northern Lake County. I did cut the cord, however, as that was the only reason to pay for the Comcast service.
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:51 pm:
This is a question for the governor?
What’s next, I dropped my remote behind the couch and I can’t reach it?
- Benjamin - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 12:54 pm:
I don’t really see Comcast as the party with leverage here. The majority of the teams’ fan bases either have another cable provider or can use their antennas for free. (And as someone who’s never had cable, I love being able to watch free-to-air games again). I think it’ll be Comcast, not Reinsdorf and Wirtz, who end up folding.
- Yooper in Diaspora - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 1:13 pm:
Those of us in western Illinois can’t get an antenna. Blackhawks hockey was all I watched (or worked in front of) regularly. Listening on WGN is not the same. But I have a four to five dollar reimbursement each month from Comcast for now. Ha.
- Huh? - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 1:25 pm:
“broadcast over the air in Chicago on channels 62.2 and 62.3″
What happened to channels 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 32, and 44?
I guess I am showing my age.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 1:28 pm:
Where politicians could step in is going after teams being able to black out coverage as an antitrust violation.
We are already paying for every Blackhawks game by having an ESPN+ subscription and Comcast for ESPN/TNT games. But every game on ESPN+ is blacked out by the NHL because of archaic local blackout restrictions.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 2:00 pm:
From published reports and talking to folks in the burbs, the over the air signal is weak and impossible to bring in many towns.
And like others, once the Cubs went to Marquee, my viewership tanked. It’s too bad. I had a bleary eyed 9 year old up way past his bedtime in 2016 to watch history. It was a night I won’t forget and it was a great pleasure to write a late to school note for “watching the Cubs win the World Series”.
Now that kid never sees the Cubs and really doesn’t care about the team.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 2:07 pm:
===What happened to channels 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 32, and 44?===
They are still there, but now with a digital antenna, you can get multiple channels in between those. Channel 9.3 is fun, and you can catch Star Trek re-runs on channel 26.5. 90% of it is garbage programming, but every now and then you find a real treat.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 2:26 pm:
I’ve been trying to cancel my Comcast sports channels forever. I don’t watch sports, but they bundle the sports channels and the extra charge regardless.
Recently got an email stating a $8.85 credit for Regional Sports Network to which, evidently, I no longer have access.
Finally.
So, I’m happy.
Yippee.
Oughta be a law.
- Frida's Boss - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 2:26 pm:
Why is that the Governor’s problem?
- Pundent - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 2:27 pm:
If Pritzker had the kinds of powers the reporter assumes, wouldn’t he be better off using them to ensure the Bulls and Blackhawks had competitive teams? Even if he could resolve the carriage issues who’s going to watch at this point?
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 2:53 pm:
I “cut the cord” a few years ago.
Live too far away to get those games on an antenna.
And refuse to pay for cable again to get the games.
So it’s the Elvis Costello solution….
“Radio radiooooooo”.”
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Nov 7, 24 @ 3:08 pm:
My plan to handle this was to go to the local sports bar and nurse one cheap drink for the whole game. If you’re with friends it’s a better experience than watching alone at home.
Cubs opened this timeline with their championship win; they had better do that again to close the timeline and restore the universe.