NBC 5 Simulcasting NBC Sports Chicago's Bulls & Blackhawks' Games
Posted by ABRockNJock on November 2, 2023, 2:46 pm
In the '90s, whenever the Bulls were on NBC 5, it was because NBC Sports had the contract to carry the NBA package nationally. Same was true for the Blackhawks during the last decade when NBC had the U.S. contract for the NHL.
I bring this up because NBC 5 will be simulcasting 2 Bulls' games & 2 Blackhawks' games with NBC Sports Chicago. That's the word from NBC Universal Local Chicago, which made the announcement Wednesday.
NBC 5 will simulcast Friday's Bulls' home game vs the Brooklyn Nets with NBCSC in the inaugural NBA In Season Tournament. Coverage will start with "Bulls Pregame Live" @ 6:30P (CT) hosted by Jason Goff & former Bull Kendall Gill. Adam Amin, Stacey King & sideline reporter Leila Rahimi will have the hometown call from United Center @ 7P (CT) this Friday. "Bulls Postgame Live" will follow the game on BOTH NBCSC & NBC 5.
Then, NBC 5 & NBCSC will team up again 2 weeks later for another In-Season Tournament game from the United Center. The 2 channels will have coverage of the Bulls' home game vs the Orlando Magic starting @ 6:30P (CT) as well. Ruthie Polinsky, NBC 5 sports anchor/reporter & host of NBCSC's "Football Aftershow", will serve as sideline reporter for this game on Friday, November 17.
But wait...There's more. In December, NBC 5 & NBCSC will have the Blackhawks' home game vs the Montreal Canadiens starting @ 7P (CT) with "Blackhawks' Pregame Live" on Friday, December 22. Host Pat Boyle will originate "Pregame Live" from the U.C. with Caley Chelios, Tony Granato & John Scott providing analysis. Chris Vosters & Darren Pang will call it @ 7:30P (CT) that particular Friday.
Last but not least, the 2 channels will team one more time for the Hawks' road game vs the Dallas Stars on Friday, December 29. Coverage starts @ 6:30P (CT) followed by a 7P (CT) puck drop from American Airlines Center.
“We’re very pleased to showcase NBC Sports Chicago’s acclaimed Bulls and Blackhawks game night coverage to new audiences on NBC 5 Chicago,” said Kevin Cross, president & general manager of NBCUniversal Local Chicago. “This unique opportunity also enables us to kick off our NBC 5 primetime viewing weekend with live content featuring two of the nation’s most beloved sports franchises.”
NOTE: The four games are the only scheduled NBC 5 simulcasts to take place during the 2023-24 NBA/NHL season.