WWMT’s Channel 3.4 Scores Big with Chicago Sports Network
Cord-cutters of West Michigan, did you notice the new channel appearance on Monday? There’s a fresh player in the OTA lineup, and it’s a slam dunk for sports fans. The other day, while setting up an antenna for a new customer in West Olive (and marveling at how good free TV looks these days), I stumbled across something unexpected during the initial channel scan: WWMT Channel 3.4.
Curiosity got the best of me (as it often does), so after wrapping up the install, I got on the ringer with my buddy George over at WWMT. He confirmed what I’d discovered: channel 3.4 is now home to the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN).
For Chicago fans, this is like Christmas morning. You’ll get live Chicago Bulls basketball games, Chicago Blackhawks hockey, and Chicago White Sox baseball—all airing right here on 3.4. And if you’re not a fan of the Windy City teams, there’s still something in it for you, West Michigan: whenever Chicago faces off against Michigan teams like the Pistons, Tigers, or Red Wings, those games will also be broadcast. So, yes, you can root for Detroit while secretly enjoying the free sports programming. (Though you might need to cover your ears during the Chicago-centric commentary.)
Who is CHSN, Anyway?
For those not in the know, CHSN (Chicago Sports Network) has been a staple for die-hard Chicago fans, but until now, it’s been harder to access in West Michigan. Previously, the channel was available mainly via pricey sports packages on cable or satellite TV, and you’d have to fork over some serious cash just to keep up with the Bulls. Or, as one of my customers shared with me, she had been listening to Chicago games on 640 AM radio but said, “Now it’s on this TV station.”
Today, thanks to WWMT’s subchannel addition, CHSN is free and over-the-air for anyone with an antenna. That’s right: no subscription, no hidden fees—just crystal-clear sports action. And let’s be honest, cutting out the cable middleman is always a win.
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Now, if you’ve tuned into channel 3.4, you may have noticed a frustrating little detail: the built-in on-screen guide that newer TVs have, currently reads “No Program Information”. It’s like showing up for a feast and finding the menu is just a blank page. Naturally, I asked George about this because, well, it’s kind of important to know what’s on.
He assured me that the TV guide info will be populated soon. WWMT is working to integrate CHSN into their electronic program guide (EPG), so you’ll soon be able to see schedules and game details directly on your TV. In the meantime, you might have to fly blind—or check CHSN’s website for the programming schedule.
Guide Confusion: What’s Up with Comet?
While we’re talking about guides, let’s clear up a little confusion. If you’ve been poking around online schedules like ontvtonight.com, you might’ve seen channel 3.4 listed for years. But don’t be fooled—this wasn’t CHSN. These guides were mistakenly linking Comet TV (which currently airs on 15.3) to the 3.4 slot.
With CHSN taking over 3.4, Comet TV will be pushed down to channel 3.5. So, if you’re a fan of classic sci-fi and horror shows, don’t worry—it’s not disappearing; it’s just moving to a new home. You’ll still be able to catch shows like Stargate SG-1 and Babylon 5, just a couple of clicks down the remote.
Rescanning: The How and Why
For most antenna users, CHSN on channel 3.4 should show up automatically—no rescanning required. But if it’s not appearing in your lineup, a quick rescan might fix the issue. Haven’t rescanned in a while? Now’s a great time to refresh your channel list and grab any new additions.
However, Vizio TV owners, this part is for you: tread carefully. As I’ve recently noticed, Vizio TVs have a maddening software quirk. When scanning for channels, they lock onto the first tower they find for any given station—even if there’s a stronger signal available from another tower. And they don’t let you switch.
For example: Fox 17 has three towers. Their main tower is near Middleville, with another in Twin Lake, and a third in Hesperia. Wood TV 8 has their main tower near Wayland with a sub station in Holland and in Muskegon. All the same channel, but newer Vizio TVs do not consider the strongest channel and don’t let you manually pick. Instead, they select the fist scanned tower, whether it’s weak or strong. You get what you get with Vizio, unfortunately. So, proceed with caution, Vizio owners.
With that said, if your Vizio TV picks up a weaker version of Fox 17.1 from, say, Twin Lake, instead of Middleville, you’re stuck with that weaker signal. Until Vizio hires engineers who understand how OTA works (or lets you choose which tower to use), rescanning might actually make things worse for Vizio owners.
For everyone else, rescanning is quick and easy—and absolutely worth it to add channel 3.4 to your lineup if you don’t automatically see it.
OTA: Still the MVP of TV
With 62 local unique channels now available in the Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo area, OTA TV continues to prove it’s the best deal in entertainment. Sports fans can now enjoy Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox games for free on CHSN, and Michigan fans can catch all the action when our teams face off against Chicago.
All of this, with no contracts, no bills, and no bull—well, except the Chicago kind of Bull!
So, whether you’re a die-hard Bulls fan or just here for the Michigan matchups, now’s the time to tune in to channel 3.4. And if you need help setting up your antenna in West Michigan or rescanning your channels, you know who to call. (Hint: it’s me.)
