Chicago Cubs to get their own network
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 8:02 pm
The Cubs have announced their long-awaited formation of a regional sports network. The organization will partner
with Sinclair Broadcast Group to launch the “Marquee Sports Network” beginning with the 2020 season.
There’s risk and opportunity aplenty in taking this route, as the Cubs will now be seeking to work out carriage deals
for a channel reliant all but entirely on their ballclub and brand. Obviously, it’s quite a popular franchise, but one that
— like any other — is hardly immune to on-field downturns or off-field controversy and won’t have live games to market
for much of the year.
The Ricketts-owned Cubs have obviously thought through all of the competing considerations and decided to take the plunge.
If the partners are successful in structuring and marketing this channel, they could reap major profits.
with Sinclair Broadcast Group to launch the “Marquee Sports Network” beginning with the 2020 season.
There’s risk and opportunity aplenty in taking this route, as the Cubs will now be seeking to work out carriage deals
for a channel reliant all but entirely on their ballclub and brand. Obviously, it’s quite a popular franchise, but one that
— like any other — is hardly immune to on-field downturns or off-field controversy and won’t have live games to market
for much of the year.
The Ricketts-owned Cubs have obviously thought through all of the competing considerations and decided to take the plunge.
If the partners are successful in structuring and marketing this channel, they could reap major profits.