Theoretically, it should be easier to watch the Chicago Cubs on television now that they have put the games they control on their own channel, Marquee Sports Network.
It’s not as easy as when you turn on WGN-9 day or night, but mostly by day, but it’s easier than guessing if the game was on NBC Sports Chicago, NBCSCH +, ABC-7, WGN, ESPN, FOX-32 And, that once last year, CW-26.
It is not yet a one-stop shop.
So, you probably have some questions. Shoot …
Are all the Cubs games in Marquee?
You might think about it because Marquee talks about being the “exclusive” home of the Cubs’ baseball, but of course not. MLB’s national television partners arrive at the cherry picking games and take them away from Marquee. For now, ESPN has two games for “Sunday Night Baseball” – August 9 and September 6 – both against the Cardinals. FOX-32 has a couple of games. Games could be added in September, if events warrant.
Cubs games not on FOX-32 and ESPN’s ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ only on Marquee?
Not again. The Cubs’ six games against the Chicago White Sox are also on NBC Sports Chicago, obviously. It’s also notable that the Cubs’ games on FS1 aren’t locally locked, despite being televised on Marquee as well. If TBS picks up the Cubs games, they are allowed to lift the blackout once this season and run in front of the Marquee coverage.
What about fans living outside of the Cubs television market?
Major League Baseball has given the Cubs a very large television market, cutting a large swath in various states. But if you’re out of that area, you’ll still have to go through MLB subscription services if you want to watch Cubs games that aren’t on local television or national media, the same thing you’ve seen in recent years.
What about fans who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or broadcast services and rely on an antenna for free broadcast television broadcast?
You only get the games that are on FOX-32. But that’s the way it is these days. Unless an announcer tied to a national league deal chooses a game, he won’t see the White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks either – they’re putting the games they control on NBC Sports Chicago.
Do all cable, satellite and broadcast services in the Cubs TV market offer Marquee?
What channel will I find Marquee on?
It depends on your operator. Comcast in the Chicago area has it on Ch. 202 in high definition and ch. 58 in standard definition. The channel location for many other services can be found here. A complete list should be available here.
Does Marquee have an app?
Of course it does. As long as you can prove that you are paying someone for access to Marquee, you can also stream games on the Marquee website here.
Len and JD still calling games?
In fact, Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies are back as lead announcers. They’ll call games from Wrigley Field, whether the Cubs are playing there or not. Marquee announced a group of invited analysts earlier this year, and it remains to be seen how many will be needed and how they will be used. Mark Grace made a remote appearance at a July exhibition against the Twins from his kitchen with a Gold Glove trophy behind him at the counter.
How about game reporter Kelly Crull?
What is the problem with false crowd noise?
MLB has sounds of video game fans in all stadiums. Fox has said that it will create the illusion of fans in the stands, which will be more of an illusion in some stadiums than others, especially at the end of games.
Who is organizing before and after the game at Marquee?
The studio’s main presenter at Marquee is Cole Wright, formerly of ESPN and the NFL Network.
