TV Schedule for 08-09 is out

by SCH on Sep 2, 2008 3:52 PM CDT

The 2008-09 regular season marks the Blackhawks’ fifth consecutive on Comcast SportsNet and features a record 58 contests, including 33 at the United Center. Comcast SportsNet will carry both the squad’s season opener against the New York Rangers on Oct. 10 at 6 P.M., and home opener against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

The Blackhawks' return to WGN Channel 9 officially launches on Sat., Oct. 11 when the team battles the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center. Chicago will make 20 appearances on the station, which was its home during the 1960’s and early 1970’s.

The Blackhawks will also make at least four appearances on national television this season, highlighted by the NHL Winter Classic 2009 ¬– which pits the Blackhawks against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings – on January 1, one of just two contests the league announced as part of its NBC flex schedule. The Blackhawks will also appear on VERSUS three times during the 2008-09 campaign (Oct. 27 at Minnesota; Jan. 19 vs. Minnesota; March 31 at Montreal).

Might sound funny, but it is really cool to see the name of a TV station next to the home games instead of the usual blank space that we've seen in the past. I didn't even think WGN was going to be showing games until later in the year, but as we see they are going to be showing the second game of the season in Washington. I still can't wait for the drop of the puck.

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WGN

Will any Hawks games be on the Superstation? Or will they only be available in Chicago?

by MissouriKev on Sep 6, 2008 2:13 PM CDT reply actions

No games on the Superstation

says so on the Hawks schedule on their site, so yeah they will only be available in Chicago.

LET'S GO HAWKS!

by SCH on Sep 6, 2008 2:39 PM CDT reply actions

However, I would assume those games

would be a part of the Center Ice Package, for those of us out in the hinterlands, with the rest of the Comcast package. I only imply this because the NBA package featured WGN/Bulls telecasts. But, of course a deal with WGN has to be agreed upon by In Demand, the supplier of the telecasts.

It would be troubling for those games to NOT be on the Center Ice package, for once again — that would mean viewers outside of Chicago would have to depend on the road team’s telecast. Thankfully, there are many good telecasts available. (Nashville’s FSN is CERTAINLY NOT in that category. It must be the worst overall presentation in the NHL, next to Columbus’ dreck on FSN Ohio.)

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Sep 6, 2008 4:28 PM CDT reply actions