| Type | Pay televisionnetwork (sports) |
|---|---|
| Availability | United States |
| Headquarters | Chicago, IL |
| Owner | Wirtz Corporation |
Launch date | 1992; 33 years ago (1992) |
| Dissolved | 1995; 30 years ago (1995) |
Hawkvision was an Americansubscription television service founded byWirtz Corporation andChicago Blackhawks ownerBill Wirtz.[1] The service broadcast Chicago Blackhawks games. It operated in conjunction with Chicago'slocal version ofSportsChannel, and access cost$29.95 per month.
In 1992, Wirtz, who had a reputation for stubbornness and frugality,[2] ended all Blackhawks broadcast agreements withnetwork andcable television outlets. While vilified for this decision by many Blackhawks fans, he felt that broadcasting regular home games was unfair to the team's season-ticket holders.[3] Only Blackhawks games picked up by national broadcasters (which only happened when the Blackhawks made the playoffs) were shown on basic cable (complicated further bySportsChannel America having various issues with carriage).
Hawkvision only broadcast for a short time, ending after the1994–95 season. However, regular Blackhawk home games did not resume airing on television until the2007–08 season after Wirtz's death. His sonRocky took over the team's operations and agreed to allowWGN-TV andNBC Sports Chicago to carry those games.
Similar subscription TV services were utilized for theMontreal Canadiens andWinnipeg Jets by rightsholderTSN from 2010 through 2014.
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