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| 1982-1989 | 1989-1995 | 1995-1997 | 1997-2000 | 2000-2004 | 2004-2006 |
Sportsvision Chicago[]
1982–1989[]
SportsChannel Chicago was first launched in 1981 as SportsVision Chicago when Cablevision obtained rights to 81 Chicago White Sox home games for the 1981 season. SportsVision initially operated as an over-the-air subscription service that broadcast over WPWR-TV each weeknight and on weekends. Viewers were required to purchase a set-top converter and pay a monthly fee to view the telecasts, which included Bulls, White Sox, and Blackhawks games, as well as college sports events of local interest. Some sports telecasts were also simulcast on ON TV, a co-owned subscription service that broadcast part-time over WSNS-TV (channel 44).
SportsChannel Chicago[]
1989–1995[]
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LOGO MISSING |
The WPWR-SportsVision partnership struggled by late 1983 and as a result, the channel was sold to Cablevision and the Washington Post (which by this time had become a partner in SportsChannel). By 1988, the Post had sold its share in SportVision (and the other SportsChannel networks) and NBC (owners of WMAQ-TV) became a new partner gaining 50% ownership of the network.
On March 1, 1989, the channel relaunched as SportsChannel Chicago, returning the name after over seven years. The network began broadcasting 24 hours a day in 1991. Also that year, Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) purchased a 25% share in SportsChannel Chicago, with the remaining 75% split evenly between Cablevision and NBC.
1995–1997[]
Fox Sports Chicago[]
1997–2000[]
On June 30, 1997, News Corporation (owners of Fox owned-and-operated station WFLD) and Liberty Media—which had created a new group of regional sports networks known as Fox Sports Net in November 1996—purchased a 40% interest in Cablevision's sports properties. As a result, SportsChannel Chicago was rebranded as Fox Sports Chicago in January 1998.
Fox Sports Net Chicago[]
2000–2004[]
In 2000, Fox Sports Chicago rebranded as Fox Sports Net Chicago, as part of a collective brand modification of the FSN networks under the "Fox Sports Net" banner.
FSN Chicago[]
2004–2006[]
In 2004, the channel shortened its name to FSN Chicago, through the networks' de-emphasis of the "Fox Sports Net" brand. Prior to the name change in December 2003, Jerry Reinsdorf, Bill Wirtz and the Tribune Company—the owners of the Bulls, White Sox, Blackhawks and the Chicago Cubs respectively—decided to end their cable television agreement with Fox Sports Net Chicago. All three decided to enter into a partnership with Comcast to form a new regional sports network, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, which launched on October 1, 2004.
In February 2005, Cablevision acquired full ownership of Fox Sports Chicago, in an asset swap that also involved the sale of News Corporation's interest in Madison Square Garden and the arena's NBA and NHL team tenants in exchange for Cablevision's interest in FSN Ohio and FSN Florida. FSN Chicago ceased operations on June 23, 2006, and Comcast SportsNet Chicago acquired the rights to broadcast FSN's nationally distributed programs, as well as its operations into the Orleans Street facility formerly occupied by FSN Chicago.
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FSN Chicago |
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| Owners: United States: Fox Corporation (broadcast division and national networks) U.S. sports broadcasting rights: United States national networks: International channels: Other properties: Fox Sports Digital Media: Former broadcasting rights: Defunct:  |
