Hawkvision

Hawkvision
Type Pay television network (sports)
Availability United States
Headquarters Chicago, IL
Owner Wirtz Corporation
Launch date
 1992
Dissolved 1993

Hawkvision was a short-lived subscription TV service founded by Wirtz Corporation and Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz.[1] The service broadcast Chicago Blackhawks games. It operated in conjunction with Chicago's local SportsChannel outfit and access cost $29.95 per month.

Overview

In 1992, Wirtz, who had a reputation for stubbornness and frugality,[2] ended all Blackhawks broadcast agreements with network and cable television outlets. While vilified for this decision by many Blackhawks fans, he felt that broadcasting regular home games was unfair to the team's season-ticket holders.[3] Only Blackhawks games picked up by national broadcasters (which only happened when the Blackhawks made the playoffs) were shown on regular TV.

Hawkvision only broadcast for a short time, ending after the 1992–93 season. However, regular Blackhawk home games would not resume airing on TV until the 2007–08 season (after Wirtz died).

Similar subscription TV services were utilized for the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets by rightsholder TSN from 2010 through 2014.

References

  1. ↑ Wood, Matt (November 21, 2007). "Shooting The Hawks". Chicago Sports Weekly. Archived from the original on 2007-12-01. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  2. ↑ Associated Press (September 26, 2007). "Blackhawks Owner William Wirtz Dies". Fox News. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  3. ↑ Ziehm, Len (February 27, 2002). "All playoff games will be televised". Chicago SunTimes. Archived from the original on 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
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