FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 13th, 2017

CHICAGO BULLS/NBA PLAYOFFS ACTION RETURNS TO CSN

First Round Coverage Begins this Sunday, April 16 at 4:30 PM CT

Network to carry exclusive Bulls vs. Celtics “Hometown Call” coverage featuring Neil Funk & Stacey King!

CSN to air Games 1-4 in the Chicago Market (and Games 5 & 6 if nec.; Game 7 TBD)

Live streaming coverage of EVERY Bulls NBA Playoffs First Round telecast – including all Pre/Postgame Shows – to be made available to authenticated subscribers on CSNChicago.com and via the NBC Sports app

CSNChicago.com to provide LIVE video stream of EVERY Bulls post-game press conference, plus exclusive coverage from team practices and pre/post-game reports from Bulls “Insider” Vincent Goodwill

“Bulls Playoffs Preview presented by State Farm” special airs TOMORROW NIGHT (Fri, Apr. 14) at 11:00 PM!

Chicago, IL (April 13, 2017) – CSN Chicago (CSN), the home for the most games and the most comprehensive coverage of the Chicago Bulls, is ready to deliver electrifying 2017 NBA Playoffs “Hometown Call” coverage as the Bulls, led by three-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler & three-time NBA Champion/12-time NBA All-Star/Chicago native Dwyane Wade, look to further extend their season in Eastern Conference first round action against two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas (the NBA’s third-leading scorer this season) and the #1-seed Boston Celtics.  CSN will be the exclusive “local” coverage home in the Chicago market to see live coverage of Games 1-4 (and Games 5 & 6 if necessary, Game 7 is TBD), featuring the always-entertaining Bulls announcing tandem of Neil Funk & Stacey King.

In addition — EVERY Bulls/NBA Playoffs first round telecast on CSN, including surrounding Bulls Pre/Postgame Live coverage, will be accessible live via CSNChicago.com and the NBC Sports app to authenticated CSN Chicago subscribers.  The live streaming service is currently available to customers of Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-verse, Mediacom, RCN, WOW!, Time Warner Cable and Charter among numerous other carriers.  For a full list of carriers and more information about CSN Chicago’s live streaming service of Bulls games, viewers are urged to visit the following link: http://www.csnchicago.com/live-faq.

CSN’s Bulls/NBA Playoffs first round coverage gets underway this Sunday, April 16 beginning at 4:30 PM CT with a special, one-hour edition of Bulls Pregame Live presented by Coors Light, featuring hosts Mark Schanowski, former Bulls center/four-time NBA Champion Will Perdue, and former University of Illinois/Bulls standout Kendall Gill.  Bulls Pregame Live will provide a complete Game 1 preview, analysis, interviews, along with the latest team/player news and updates from Bulls beat reporter Chuck Garfien & CSNChicago.com Bulls “Insider” Vincent Goodwill.

Then, at 5:30 PM, fans can look forward to the exclusive “Hometown Call” coverage of Game 1 between the Bulls and Celtics live from TD Garden in Boston, featuring Neil & Stacey with the game call.  Immediately following Sunday’s playoff opener and after every Bulls playoff game, CSN will carry Kia Bulls Postgame Live (hosted by Schanowski, Perdue, and Gill), featuring live locker room interviews, detailed analysis, along with head coach Fred Hoiberg’s post-game press conference and numerous player interviews.  (CSN’s complete Bulls first round coverage schedule is included in this release.)

TOMORROW NIGHT (Friday, Apr. 14) at 11:00 PM, Bulls fans can look forward to an NBA Playoffs primer with Bulls Playoff Preview presented by State Farm.  This half-hour special, hosted by Mark Schanowski, Will Perdue, and Kendall Gill will provide a detailed, inside look at the Bulls vs. Celtics first round match-up, a recap of every regular season battle against the Celtics, along with the very latest player status updates, a recap of the entire regular season featuring key highlights, plus – player/coaches interviews and an overview of the entire NBA Playoffs picture with analysis on both conferences.

Throughout the playoffs, viewers are also urged to tune in nightly to In The Loop at 6:30 PM & In the Loop Prime (presented by GMC at 10:00 & State Farm at 10:30PM) for the latest Bulls playoffs news, social media highlights, viral videos and much more, along with CSN Fast Break nightly at 12 midnight for a full recap of every NBA Playoffs match-up, including game recaps, next game previews, up-to-the-minute team/player updates, interviews and numerous playoff highlights from around the league.  Plus – host David Kaplan and a panel of Bulls/NBA experts will deliver the hottest NBA Playoffs discussion and game breakdowns every weeknight on SportsTalk Live presented by The Chevy Silverado (check your channel guide for specific times or visit CSNChicago.com for detailed listings).

In addition to its live stream of every first round playoff telecast, CSNChicago.com will also provide fans with even more exclusive Bulls/NBA Playoffs content including the following:

  • CSNChicago.com will stream EVERY Bulls postgame press conference LIVE (sponsored by Xfinity) providing insider access to head coach Fred Hoiberg addressing the media as it happens.
  • CSNChicago.com Bulls “Insider” Vincent Goodwill will be on-site — for EVERY Bulls playoff game — filing stories and video for each game and team practices, plus Goodwill will provide up-to-the-second Tweets via @vgoodwill throughout the playoffs.  In addition, Bulls digital reporter/producer Mark Strotman (@markstrot) will also provide Bulls opponent perspective/reports on days of home games, along with providing Bulls and NBA Playoffs reports/features on the beat with Goodwill.  Follow @CSNBulls on Twitter for full team coverage, giveaways, fan photos and game day news straight from the United Center. Fans are also urged to follow Stacey King (@Stacey21King), Mark Schanowski (@MarkSchanowski), Will Perdue (@Will_Perdue32), Kendall Gill (@KendallG13), and Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) for even more Bulls/NBA insider coverage.
  • Video highlights include interviews from game day/off day practices, as well as extensive post-game reaction from the locker room and analysis via “Kia Bulls Postgame Live”
  • “Bulls Talk PODCAST” – Featuring Bulls Pre/Postgame Live host Mark Schanowski, analyst Kendall Gill, “Insider” Vincent Goodwill, and an array of special guests, CSN’s “Bulls Talk” podcast features in-depth Bulls discussion on the hottest topics and breaking news throughout the NBA Playoffs. Fans can download all of CSN’s podcasts at CSNChicago.com/podcasts and simply subscribe to them via iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.  The podcasts can be played on any mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer.
  • Push Alerts: CSN Chicago will deliver Bulls push notifications for breaking team and player news, “Insider” reports, plus game reminder alerts via CSN Chicago’s SportsTalk app for iOS and Android devices.
  • BullsTalk (CSNChicago.com/bulls) – CSNChicago.com’s high-velocity, real-time, comprehensive Bulls/NBA Playoffs news and opinion section featuring original commentary, reporting and social media aggregation. BullsTalk contains interactive content with continually updated insights from the network’s talent, which includes the new #BullsTalk podcast.
  • Fans can also follow and connect with CSN’s extensive Bulls coverage on Facebook (including numerous “Facebook Live” segments with CSN talent), Instagram and Snapchat at @CSNChicago
  • CSNChicago.com, NBC Sports and ProBasketballTalk.com will also produce Bulls and NBA content in tandem throughout the playoffs, which will include on-camera segments and digital reports.
  • Bulls/NBA Playoffs coverage on CSNChicago.com is presented by Toyota.

Note the following first round schedule of games and additional coverage information on CSN/CSNChicago.com/NBC Sports app:

CHICAGO BULLS vs. BOSTON CELTICS on CSN CHICAGO

* Game 1: Sun, April 16, 5:30 PM – Bulls at Celtics (TD Garden)
LIVE STREAM also available on CSNChicago.com & the NBC Sports app
(NOTES: Bulls/NBA Playoffs coverage on CSN begins at 4:30 PM with a special, one-hour edition of Bulls Pregame Live with Bulls Postgame Live immediately following the game; In the Loop Prime will air 10:00 PM/10:30 PM with even more comprehensive Bulls/NBA Playoffs coverage; game replay at 12:30 AM & Mon, Apr. 17 at 3:30 PM)
— IMPORTANT WHITE SOX NOTE:  The White Sox at Minnesota game will air in its entirety on CSN+/CSN+HD (also streaming live on CSNChicago.com/NBC Sports app), but will also air on the main CSN channel location from 3:00-4:30 PM (White Sox Pregame Live coverage begins at 2:30 PM, first pitch at 3:00 PM; viewers urged to visit CSNChicago.com for exact channel locations in their area).

* Game 2: Tue, April 18, 7:00 PM – Bulls at Celtics (TD Garden)
LIVE STREAM also available on CSNChicago.com & the NBC Sports app
(NOTES: Special Bulls-focused edition of SportsTalk Live hosted by David Kaplan at 5:30 PM, which will be followed by In the Loop at 6:00 PM; Bulls Pregame Live airs at 6:30 PM with Bulls Postgame Live immediately following the game; In the Loop Prime will air 10:00 PM/10:30 PM with even more comprehensive Bulls/NBA Playoffs coverage; game replay at 12:30 AM & Wed, Apr. 19 at 3:00 PM)
— IMPORTANT WHITE SOX NOTE:  The White Sox at NY Yankees game will now move to CSN+/CSN+HD (also streaming live on CSNChicago.com/NBC Sports app) (White Sox Pregame Live at 5:30 PM, first pitch at 6:00 PM; viewers urged to visit CSNChicago.com for exact CSN+ channel location in their area).

* Game 3: Fri, April 21, 6:00 PM – Bulls vs. Celtics (United Center)
LIVE STREAM also available on CSNChicago.com & the NBC Sports app
(NOTES: United Center remote edition of SportsTalk Live hosted by David Kaplan at 5:00 PM; Bulls Pregame Live at 5:30 PM/Bulls Postgame Live after the game, both shows from the UC; game replay at 12:30 AM)
— IMPORTANT WHITE SOX NOTE:  The White Sox vs. Cleveland game will now move to CSN+/CSN+HD (also streaming live on CSNChicago.com/NBC Sports app) (White Sox Pregame Live at 6:30 PM, first pitch at 6:30 PM; viewers urged to visit CSNChicago.com for exact CSN+ channel location in their area) (This game will ALSO be joined in progress on the main CSN channel location immediately following Bulls Postgame Live).
— IMPORTANT FIRE NOTE:  The Fire at Toronto MLS game at 6:00 PM (currently scheduled to air on CSN+) will move to CSN+2 (Specific CSN+2 channel location details will be available here: csnchicago.com/channel-finder) (This Fire game will also re-air in its entirety on CSN+ at 11:00 PM).

* Game 4: Sun, April 23, 5:30 PM – Bulls vs. Celtics (United Center)
LIVE STREAM also available on CSNChicago.com & the NBC Sports app
(NOTES: Bulls Pregame Live begins at 5:00 PM with Bulls Postgame Live immediately following the game (both shows taking place at the United Center); In the Loop Prime will air 10:00 PM/10:30 PM with even more comprehensive Bulls/NBA Playoffs coverage) 

* Game 5:  Wed, Apr. 26 (Channel Location/Time TBD) – Bulls at Celtics (TD Garden) (if necessary)

* Game 6: Fri, Apr. 28 (Channel Location/Time TBD) – Bulls vs. Celtics (United Center) (if necessary) 

* Game 7:  Sun, April 30 (Channel Location/Time TBD) – Bulls at Celtics (TD Garden) (if necessary)

ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL TIME 

CSN Chicago, a partnership between the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB) and the NBC Sports Group, features over 275 live pro games in high definition each year.  In addition, CSN delivers extensive pre/post-game coverage for its core pro team partners, as well as the Chicago Bears, along with numerous entertaining local sports discussion/social media-focused programs via In the Loop and SportsTalk Live.  Through the network’s growing digital platform, CSNChicago.com, Chicago sports fans tap into the most comprehensive and dedicated 24/7 online destination for breaking news, up-to-the-minute game previews/recaps, highlights, multimedia video clips, and standout coverage from CSNChicago.com’s team of “Insiders.”  Follow the network on Twitter via @CSNChicago.

NBC Sports Regional Networks is NBC Sports Group’s portfolio of nine regional networks that delivers more than 2,200 live sporting events annually and original content to more than 43 million homes. Aligned within network groups in the East and West, the NBC Sports Regional Networks are: CSN New England, CSN Philadelphia, TCN, CSN Mid-Atlantic, SNY; and CSN Bay Area, CSN California, CSN Chicago, and CSN Northwest. For additional information, visit ComcastSportsNet.com. For more information on NBC Sports Group properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios, headshots and logos, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com. 

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