CSN Chicago Revamps Sports-News Programming Format With New Shows

CSN Chicago (CSN) has announced a significant format change to its traditional sports news presentation with the upcoming debut of two, brand new shows – In the Loop and CSN Fast Break – both of which will make their CSN premiere on Monday, December 5.  The announcement was made by Kevin Cross, Sr. Director of News & Original Content for CSN Chicago.

Beginning Monday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. CT, CSN will premiere In the Loop presented by Comcast Business.  Hosted by CSN personalities Luke Stuckmeyer (@LukeStuckmeyer) and Leila Rahimi (@leilarahimi), In the Loop will provide viewers with a fast-paced, fresh take on the day’s local and national sports scene seen through the eyes of the ever-growing social media universe from both a player and fan perspective.  In the Loop breaks away from the traditional sports news format with a focused-emphasis on viewer interaction via fan engagement on a number of accompanying digital portals, including interactive online polls (CSNChicago.com/vote) featuring instantaneous on-screen results and social media fan commentary/photos/videos/etc. sent to CSN’s official “In the Loop” Twitter handle (@CSNInTheLoop), along with the network’s Facebook (Facebook.com/CSNChicago), Twitter (@CSNChicago), and Instagram (@csnchicago) accounts.  Viewer can submit their photos/videos/commentary and just about anything that’s on their mind by utilizing the hashtag #InTheLoop.

The 6:30 p.m. edition of In the Loop, to air every Sunday through Friday on CSN, will also feature appearances from a number of CSN on-air talent, analysts, and additional special guests from the sports and entertainment field discussing and debating the day’s hottest sports topics.  Among the many featured segments appearing in all 6:30 p.m. editions of In the Loop presented by Comcast Business include:

·        “No Huddle” – Opening segment (1-2 minutes) featuring a rapid-fire sports update of the day’s top headlines.

·        “Must See Media” – A social media congregation (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat) of the day’s top viral videos, messages, and more from Chicago’s pro athletic superstars, along with athletes and sports personalities from around the country.

·         “The List” – The definitive daily Top 5 list focusing on the day’s most-talked about sports event or moment, woven into historical context, in which fans can vote on their top choice.

At 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (also debuting on Monday, December 5), CSN will present In the Loop Prime presented by GMC.  Once again hosted by Stuckmeyer and Rahimi, In the Loop Prime will feature the same viewer interactive/social media-focused format as the 6:30 p.m. edition, however, with a greater emphasis on the evening’s top local professional, collegiate, and preps sporting events.  Among the many featured segments appearing in all 10:00/10:30 p.m. editions of In the Loop Prime presented by GMC include:

·        “No Huddle” – Opening, expanded segment featuring a rapid-fire sports update of the evening’s top games, featuring highlights, players/coaches interviews, and more.

·        “The Play” – “In the Loop Prime” will provide a comprehensive, detailed breakdown of the single, most impactful play of any given game that took place that particular evening.

·         “Instant Trivia” – Fan voting trivia segment that focuses on one unique aspect of a particular game occurring that night.

“The needs of today’s sports fan has changed,” says Cross.  “We have learned that viewers want more than just highlights.  They want to know what their favorite players are up to on social media.  They want to be engaged in ways that they can directly be active participants in the content.  Most importantly, they want to be entertained, they want to be informed, and they want to have fun.  The movement away from the traditional sports news format and the introduction of our new shows on CSN Chicago will engage and involve our viewers like never before.”

In addition, debuting Monday, December 5 at midnight, the network will premiere CSN Fast Break presented by CLR.  Airing in a rotating, 15-minute format, CSN Fast Break will deliver a condensed, fast-paced late night recap of all the day’s top sports highlights, including post-game player/coaches interviews, and a national recap of the evening’s top games and standout moments.  NOTES: A replay CSN Fast Break will also air during the network’s morning news block (6:00-8:00 a.m. and noon on CSN; 8:30 a.m. – noon on CSN+)…also, a five-minute online version of CSN Fast Break will also be made available for viewing on the network’s digital home, CSNChicago.com.

To accompany the network’s transition from the traditional sports news format, CSN Chicago recently launched numerous weekly podcasts, further connecting CSN’s local sports expertise with its die-hard Chicago sports fan base.  Combining the savvy insight from CSN’s vast team of anchors, reporters, analysts, CSNChicago.com “Insiders,” television and digital producers, along with a number of current/former players & coaches and media personalities, CSN’s podcasts create a unique blend of perspectives and conversations for fans of the Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, and Bears among others.

CSN’s BlackhawksTalk, BullsTalk, CubsTalk, WhiteSoxTalk, BearsTalk, SportsTalk Live, Fantasy Football Fix and BigTenTalk podcasts can be found at www.csnchicago.com/podcasts and by simply subscribing to them via iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.  The podcasts can be played on any mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer.  Listeners can also find the podcasts and other articles and videos via Twitter by following @CSNChicago, @CSNBlackhawks, @CSNBulls, @CSNCubs, @CSNWhiteSox, @SportsTalkCHI, @CSNFantasy and @CSNBigTen.