CHGO Sports taking its shows to the FAST lane

The allure of FAST channels is that they’re free and accessible. Samsung is the largest TV manufacturer in the world. Anyone with a Samsung smart TV has access to Samsung TV Plus, its free streaming service. The Roku Channel is available on Roku devices and TVs. And both are available via a web browser.

As paid streaming services become more expensive, FAST channels are increasingly providing an alternative, taking viewers back to basic ad-supported TV. But the old-school idea is in line with a modern trend — people viewing content for free on Instagram, TikTok and other social-media platforms.

Of course, there is an economic element. The more people who see an ad, the more advertisers pay. CHGO splits the revenue with the distributor. It’s similar to YouTube, where content creators with the most engagement make the most money. CHGO also can sell its products to a larger audience.

“We have a membership program, we have merchandise, we have events,” Spano said. “And those are all marketed on these platforms. So the more that we’re able to scale and distribute this, the more people we can get these products in front of. Distribution for us raises all boats.”

And those people don’t have to be in Chicago.

“These are nationwide channels, even though they’re city-specific,” Spano said. “We’re going to be able to address displaced sports fans with a city-specific channel for them. From a search standpoint, if you’re searching Chicago sports on one of these platforms, we’re going to come up.”

The move to FAST has CHGO expanding its studio space. The crew is building a second large set to better accommodate two shows on the same night, such as when the Blackhawks and Bulls play. It will turn its smaller set into an auxiliary social-media studio. The layout of each serves specific purposes.

“The way we’ve designed our sets is to be more accessible,” said Kevin Kaduk, who recently moved from CHGO’s head of content to ALLCITY’s regional content director. “You’re not at a desk in a suit. It’s like you’re in someone’s living room.

“From the beginning, it’s always been a video product. We know, too, that television advertising makes more than radio advertising. Our partners want us to show off their products.”

Spano said ALLCITY is looking to launch in another market next year, likely in the Midwest. He has the backing of a $12 million investment from broadcast company TEGNA that led to the launch of ALLCITY’s Dallas affiliate in August, after Philadelphia came aboard in September 2023. TEGNA also will distribute affiliates in markets where both operate, furthering ALLCITY’s expansion into the FAST lane.

“Once you get on one, then you go to the next one,” Spano said. “We were able to get on Samsung while we were working the Roku deal. We got the Roku deal done, then we were able to go to Comcast and say, ‘Hey, we’re on Roku and Samsung. Is this something you’d be interested in?’ And they put us on the X1 box. Now when we go to Vizio, we can say that, too.”

Remote patrol

• Cubs radio voices Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer agreed to multiyear deals with the club last week. They will continue to be heard on the Cubs’ flagship station, The Score.
• Zach Zaidman will fill in for Adam Amin on CHSN’s broadcast of the Grizzlies-Bulls game Saturday night. Amin will be calling Cardinals-Seahawks for Fox on Sunday. Matt Rodewald will fill in for Zaidman on The Score’s broadcast of the Northern Illinois-DePaul game Saturday.
• Kevin Kugler and Daryl “Moose” Johnston will call the Vikings-Bears game for Fox on Sunday.

Where to find CHGO

• Podcast platforms (audio)
• Samsung TV Plus: Channel 2348
• The Roku Channel
• Xfinity X1: Channel 4074
• Xumo Play
• YouTube