Chicago Cubs: Will new TV network be a ‘marquee’ attraction?

Chicago Cubs: Will fans see the high-pressure moments?

As many a fan knows, especially those considered in-market for the Chicago area, watching the Cubs isn’t always the easiest of tasks. Heck, even for out of market fans, it can be a bit tricky with MLB blackout rules and all the different providers and regional sports network deals.

The hope is with a Cubs-only network that all Cubs’ fans would be able to watch their team when they’re on.  Unfortunately, we all know this is more than likely a pipe-dream and a dream scenario. Just take the Dodgers for example: even though their situation is a bit different than many other teams’ RSN issues, only one carrier shows Dodger games in the Los Angeles area.  That leaves a lot of fans high and dry, ultimately building scorn, angst, spite and losing the Dodgers considerable money in the long run.  Kids can’t become fans if they never see the team play.

Distribution concerns are no doubt on many fans’ minds, as the new Marquee Network will have to get to fans somehow, and only so many of us are as “lucky” as me to live out of market where MLB.TV and MLB At Bat can give me access to every game not televised nationwide (Yeah, I can go to Philly games three or four times a year, but the rest of you get to visit the Friendly Confines whenever you want).

While the idea of a Cubs-only network and the possible programming that could come with it are scintillating for many fans, the new Marquee Network is currently creating more questions than answers.

Hopefully, in the coming weeks and months ahead, many of those questions will be answered, because the Cubs will need to start promoting the network, as we could see it as soon as next offseason.