The Chicago Bulls rank dead as the last among 30 NBA teams in the growth of TV viewers on an annual basis at -63%, according to recent findings from the Sports Business Journal.
Chicago Bulls was unable to reach a carriage deal between Chicago Sports Network, Comcast
The drop of the Bulls could be in viewers because the team has not won a Playoff series since the 2014-15 season, but the inability of the organization to conclude a coach agreement between Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) and Comcast is one other potential factor.
CHSN, the new TV house of the Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox, actually reached a multi-year agreement with another courier in October. The network announced a deal with Fubo, a popular streaming service. Fubo now wears bulls, blackhawks and white sox games on his Pro Base Channel plan.
.@chsn___ is now live on @fubotv ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/44rvpny4HX
– Chicago Sports Network PR (@chsn_media) October 25, 2024
With Fubo added to the mix of viewing options, CHSN is now available on two streaming platforms after previously reaching a coach agreement with satellite giant DirectV, including DirectV stream.
“Fubo continues to offer more access for sports fans to view their favorite teams, and they have made it clear that Chicago Sports and their fans are an important part of that growth,” said Jason Coyle, ChSN president, in a statement.
“While we continue to strive for every platform where our fans are looking, we are enthusiastic about the possibility that the FUBO platform offers our fans because of their flexible billing conditions and availability everywhere.”
Residents of Chicago still don’t look at Bulls Games
Although Bulls games are available for 100% of the market via digital antennas, however, residents of Chicago still do not watch the NBA competitions of their hometown team. There is quite a difference between “fans who can’t watch the games because they can’t” and “fans don’t look because they don’t want that.”
The Bulls have not been published in an Eastern Conference Semifinals series since 2015 since 2015, when Derrick Rose MVP was mentioned under head coach Tom Thibodeau. Since 2014, the team has only lost one win in the first round series and Losing four Play-Off Series.
In a trade in three teams before this year’s NBA Handelsdeadline, the Sacramento kings De’aaron Fox sent to the San Antonio Spurs and acquired Zach Lavine van de Bulls.
In exchange for Fox, the Kings received Lavine; Spurs guard Sidy Cissoko; three first round Picks (Charlotte’s in 2025, San Antonios in 2027 and Minnesotas in 2031); and three second round Picks (Chicagos in 2025, Denver’s in 2028, and a return of their own pick from 2028 from Chicago).
At the NBA All-Star Break 2025, the Bulls 22-23 and 10th are in the East classification.
Top 5 NBA teams on an annual basis on average viewers, from February 1, 2025
- Portland Trail Blazers: +68%
- Dallas Mavericks: +58%
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +57%
- Oklahoma City Thunder: +55
- Houston Rockets: +14%
Data collected from Sports Business Journal.
Under 5 NBA teams year-on-year average viewers, from 1 February 2025
- Chicago Bulls: -63%
- Miami Heat: -56%
- Atlanta Hawks: -50%
- Utah Jazz: -44%
- Washington Wizards: -36%
Data collected from Sports Business Journal.
