Cubs fans finally get Marquee Sports Network lifeline after offseason drama

It hasn't been the strongest of offseasons for the Chicago Cubs when it comes to the Marquee Sports Network. There were major cuts that significantly reduced the Cubs' digital coverage, and that has carried into spring training, with only a handful of Cactus League games being broadcast this year. The Cubs maintained that there would be no change to their on-air coverage of the team during the regular season, and Cubs fans can now access the Marquee Sports Network on a new platform.

The Marquee Sports Network is now available on Prime Video. Considering the Marquee Sports Network already had a standalone app, it's certainly not earth-shattering news. Though the functionality of the app has been questioned at various points over the last six years. For fans hoping for a smoother interface, the hope is that accessing the network through Prime can lead to a better experience.

No, there won't be a price change. For Prime members who subscribe to the Marquee Sports Network, it still comes at a cost of $19.99 per month.

The Marquee Sports Network's move to Prime Video is a hopeful sign that the Cubs are working on more streaming options.

It's also a lifeline for Cubs fans who have access to the Marquee Sports Network through Xfinity. During the offseason, Xfinity moved Marquee Sports Network to its highest tier, creating another headache for the Cubs and their distribution of the network.

Of course, it also speaks to a demographic that has refused the switch to cutting the cord, so the move to Prime may not be an exact alternative.

But with Marquee now available on Prime, it's a reminder that it's still MIA when it comes to two of the biggest streaming services currently available. YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV are two platforms that have moved away from regional sports networks, and it was a pivot that didn't exactly align with when the Cubs launched the network. Optimistically, the Prime news may provide hope that the team is still working on those distribution options, but an agreement with either platform shouldn't be viewed as likely.

There are also larger questions that remain for the Cubs on Marquee Sports Network, and some of those answers may not come until after a new CBA is agreed upon next offseason. Though a work stoppage may happen before Cubs fans actually get the answers they want.