How Can I Watch Chicago Cubs Games On Tv
🔥⚾️ The Ultimate, Super-Sized, Absolutely Bonkers Guide to Catching Chicago Cubs Games on Your TV 📺
What's up, baseball fanatics? Are you tired of wandering the TV channel wasteland, clutching your remote like a lost tourist, desperately seeking the sweet, sweet sounds of the Chicago Cubs broadcast? Do you feel like you need a Ph.D. just to figure out how to watch your beloved team? Chill out, buttercup. We get it. Watching the Cubbies can be trickier than navigating the express lanes at rush hour. But fear not! We're about to drop a ton of knowledge on you, packed tighter than a suitcase for a long weekend trip. By the time you're done reading this ridiculously comprehensive guide, you'll be a viewing pro, sipping your favorite beverage and yelling at the ump without a care in the world. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Figure Out Where You’re Standing – Are You "In-Market" or "Out-of-Market"?
This is the absolute, 100% most important, cannot-skip step. The whole game (pun intended!) of watching the Cubs hinges on where your eyeballs are located relative to Wrigley Field.
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| How Can I Watch Chicago Cubs Games On Tv |
1.1 The "In-Market" Truth: Marquee Sports Network is Your Main Squeeze
If you live in the Chicago Cubs' designated television territory—which is basically Northern and Central Illinois, parts of Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and a sliver of Michigan—you are in-market. This is the territory where the Cubs hold the exclusive local broadcast rights.
Your must-have channel: Marquee Sports Network. This is the dedicated regional sports network (RSN) for the Cubs. Think of it as the VIP lounge for nearly every non-nationally televised regular season game.
How to get it: You'll need a cable or satellite TV subscription or a live TV streaming service that carries Marquee. We're talking big hitters like DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo.
Hot Tip: Marquee also offers a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) subscription through their app/website (
). This is a game-changer for folks in the local area who want to ditch traditional cable but still need that sweet, sweet Cubs content!
1.2 The "Out-of-Market" Reality Check: Embrace the Blackout Zone
If you live outside that designated territory—say, you’re chilling in Los Angeles, Miami, or even deep downstate in Illinois—you are out-of-market.
The Catch: You are subject to the infamous, soul-crushing MLB Blackout Rule. The games shown on Marquee in Chicago are blacked out for you locally. It’s a bummer, but it's the rule of the land.
Your Lifeline: The legendary MLB.TV. This is the official streaming service for Major League Baseball. It gives you access to every out-of-market game. Yes, that means you get to see all the Cubs games that would otherwise be blacked out for local viewers. It's like the Wild West of baseball viewing, but in a good way!
Step 2: The "Cut the Cord" Revolution – Streaming Services That Deliver the Goods
QuickTip: Don’t just scroll — process what you see.
The days of being shackled to a giant cable box are fading faster than the ivy in November. Streaming is the new hotness, and several services are stepping up to the plate to deliver your Cubs fix.
2.1 The Heavy Hitters (with Marquee)
These services are your best bet for in-market viewing, as they typically include Marquee Sports Network in their higher-tier packages. You gotta check your zip code, though, because offerings can vary faster than a pitch count.
2.2 The Out-of-Market MVP: MLB.TV
If you are out-of-market, stop reading right here and just grab MLB.TV. Seriously.
What you get: Every Cubs game not designated for national broadcast (more on that later). It’s the ultimate road-trip buddy for the season.
The Trade-off: It's for out-of-market viewers only. If you try to use it within the Cubs' local broadcast area, your screen will be blacked out. It’ll be a dark day, literally.
Step 3: National Broadcasts – The Random Channel Surprise!
Not every game is a local affair. A select few are picked by the big leagues for exclusive national TV slots. These are the games that literally everyone can watch (unless it’s a streaming exclusive, sigh). Even if you have Marquee or MLB.TV, if the game is national, you gotta switch channels.
3.1 Weekly Channel Hopscotch
Tip: Reading carefully reduces re-reading.
You’ll need access to these channels via your cable/satellite/streaming provider for these specific matchups:
FOX / FS1: Often hosts Saturday games. Check your local listings, because sometimes the games are on the main FOX network.
ESPN: Typically the home of Sunday Night Baseball. If the Cubs are on, your Marquee feed will be blacked out, and you’ll be tuned into the Worldwide Leader.
TBS: A classic for some Tuesday night games and a major player once the postseason rolls around.
3.2 The Streaming Exclusives: Don't Get Caught Slippin'!
MLB has some partnerships that mean a few games each season are only available on a specific streaming platform.
Apple TV+ (Friday Night Baseball): A few Friday games each year are exclusive to Apple TV+. It's a bummer, but you'll need that subscription. Don't worry, they usually give you a heads-up!
Peacock (Sunday Morning Baseball): Sometimes, a Sunday morning game gets plucked for an exclusive stream on Peacock. Wake up and smell the baseball!
Step 4: The Game Day Hustle – Your Final Checklist
Okay, you’ve got your subscription locked down. You’re ready to roll. But wait! Don't look like a rookie when the first pitch is thrown.
4.1 Double-Check the Schedule
Before every single game, you need to know who is broadcasting it. Is it Marquee, FOX, ESPN, or maybe one of those streaming exclusives? Check the official Cubs schedule or a reliable sports site.
4.2 Know Your Login Info
QuickTip: Repetition reinforces learning.
This seems basic, but trust us. The number of times people forget their password five minutes before first pitch is tragically high. Don’t be that person. Have your cable or streaming login info ready for the Marquee Sports Network app, or whatever platform you're using.
4.3 Bring the Energy!
You've done the hard work, navigated the broadcast maze, and now you’re sitting pretty. Grab your snacks, throw on your jersey, and get loud! The Cubs need your energy, even through the screen. Go Cubbies! 🐻
FAQ Questions and Answers
How do I watch Cubs games if I cut the cord but live in Chicago?
You have two main options if you live in the Chicago area (in-market): 1. Live TV Streaming Services: Subscribe to a service like DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV that includes the Marquee Sports Network in your area. 2. Marquee DTC Subscription: Purchase a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) subscription directly from Marquee Sports Network via their app or website (
).
What is the MLB blackout rule and how does it affect me?
Tip: Read actively — ask yourself questions as you go.
The MLB blackout rule prevents local fans from watching their home team's games on MLB.TV. If you are in-market for the Cubs, their local games will be blacked out on MLB.TV. The rule exists to protect the local broadcast rights held by networks like Marquee.
Can I watch Cubs games on MLB.TV if I live outside of Illinois?
Yes, absolutely! If you are an out-of-market fan (living outside the Cubs' TV territory), MLB.TV is the best and only way to legally stream the vast majority of Cubs games that are televised on Marquee Sports Network.
Which streaming services carry Marquee Sports Network?
The most reliable services that carry Marquee Sports Network (depending on your exact location/zip code) are DIRECTV STREAM (Choice package or higher) and Fubo (Pro Plan or higher). Always use their channel finder tool before you sign up!
What about those random games on Apple TV+ or Peacock?
A small number of games each season are designated as exclusive national broadcasts on streaming platforms like Apple TV+ (for Friday Night Baseball) or Peacock (for some Sunday games). For those specific games, you will need a separate subscription to that streaming service, as they won't be available on Marquee or MLB.TV.
Would you like me to look up the current subscription costs for one of the live TV streaming services that carry Marquee Sports Network?
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