The new Chicago Cubs network, Marquee Sports, has taken some criticism (rightfully so) for failing to secure cable providers. Today, the network announced that they have secured Hulu+ Live TV. This will allow many users top watch Cubs games through a Smart TV, a computer, or a tablet device.
This will only allow viewing within thew Cubs broadcast area, which is defined as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and parts of Wisconsin. With many fans already cutting the cord and jumping to streaming services, this is a huge win for Marquee.
“For the folks who are more conditioned to streaming their content, this gives them a way to watch the Cubs,” said Mike McCarthy, Marquee’s general manager. “That being said, our traditional cable and satellite subscribers are very important to us too.”
Marquee launches on February 22nd, in time for the first Cubs sporting training game. Thus far there are agreements with AT&T (Uverse and DirecTV), TVision, Charter Communications, and now Hulu.
This will mark the first time all Cubs sporting training games are broadcasted and Marquee lands on televising an estimated 145 regular season games.
Cable providers lost 6 million subscribers to other media means in 2019, so as for Hulu – this is HUGE.
“We are thrilled to partner with Hulu and add them to our growing list of over 30 affiliates who will carry the network,” said Mike McCarthy, Marquee’s general manager. “We’ve heard from countless Hulu subscribers who were keenly interested to see their favorite baseball team. And now, they will!”
The biggest missing part is Comcast. It seems Marquee and Comcast are in a stare down, but something should eventually get done.
“We have received the proposal from Marquee and are reviewing it,” said Jack Segal, a Comcast spokesman.
I believe that the Cubs didn’t realize a shift in the way carriers viewed Regional Sports Networks, which is ultimately the passed on view from their customers. In a time where people are cutting the cord, being distracted with other necessities, and trying to cut $5 here or $10 there, RSN’s typically are one of the most expensive carriage fees there are. All of this has created a dip in ratings on RSN’s and dwindling profits from the cable provider. So it makes sense that the new kid on the block is having a rough time.
But there is always a dollar that makes things work, which it appears the Marquee Network is optimistic that it will.
“It’s in their hands,” McCarthy said. “I’d be very surprised if something weren’t to work out sooner than later with Comcast.”
To find out if you will get the network, check here GET MARQUEE.
FYI… Jesse Roger’s reports that a deal with Comcast will NOT happen before the start of Spring Training games.
Cubs confirm what I mentioned on radio a week ago: No deal with Marquee and Comcast for start of spring games. Also, any deals they do make are subject to the Cubs market. You possibly can get Marquee in Fla but live games will be blacked out.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 17, 2020
Well that sucks…
