Chicago sports teams change television networks

Zoom in: The Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) will be owned by the three teams and national provider Standard Media. Standard is run out of Nashville and owns four stations located in Rhode Island, Missouri, Kentucky and Nebraska.

What they're saying: "We plan to serve our fans on as many platforms and in as many markets as our rights allow," new CHSN president Jason Coyle said in a statement.

Flashback: The Reinsdorf (White Sox/Bulls owner) and the Wirtz families (Blackhawks owner) have always had a stake in local sports television. Before NBC Sports Chicago, the channel was originally known as SportsChannel, which was co-owned by the two families.

• SportsChannel launched in 1981 and was the first regional sports network in Chicago.
• The Cubs operate their own station, Marquee Sports Network.

The intrigue: The fate of NBC Sports Chicago or its employees is unclear. The hosts and broadcasters are employed by the team, not the network.

• "We thank the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks for the long and collaborative partnership on NBC Sports Chicago," a NBC Sports Chicago spokesperson tells Axios.

Between the lines: CHSN already has cable distributors lined up and will be available via free, over-the-air broadcast.

• Standard doesn't offer a separate stream-only option.

Zoom out: Local regional sports networks around the country are struggling. Diamond Sports Group, which broadcasts 14 MLB teams, filed for bankruptcy last year and is reportedly still hemorrhaging money.

What's next: The new network will debut in October.