Chicago Sports Network removes episode of Bulls podcast — and won’t say why

Chicago Sports Network took down a Bulls podcast last week, and the network isn’t saying why.

An episode of “By The Horns” appeared in subscribers’ podcast libraries before it disappeared. CHSN confirmed pulling the show, which covered executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas’ contract extension. Both the network and team told the Sun-Times the Bulls had nothing to do with the episode’s removal.

The Bulls did inquire with the network about the show’s format, such as whether it was going to be driven by opinion. The team was seeking information about the show, not questioning the show’s content. The Bulls monitor how they’re covered, and they were surprised to learn the episode had been removed because it wasn’t controversial.

Whether the mere question prompted CHSN to take down the show is unknown. The network wouldn’t explain its reasoning beyond saying it was an internal decision that wasn’t related to the content. The show returned Thursday with CHSN Bulls insider K.C. Johnson examining the team’s first-round draft pick, Noa Essengue.

CHSN has been feeling good about itself after finally appearing on Comcast cable June 6 and seeing a sharp increase in viewership that first weekend for a Royals-White Sox series. But its placement on Xfinity, in the highest programming tier, came at the expense of those who had purchased antennas to watch the network over the air, accessibility that CHSN touted before launching Oct. 1.

Though the network had to get on Comcast, many viewers felt betrayed by CHSN’s decision to relent on the cable company’s demand to sunset local OTA distribution. Now the network is staying silent about the removal of its content. For a fledgling outlet with three losing teams, the situation doesn’t help build trust with viewers.