It’s only an exhibition, but the Cubs’ game March 12 will have significance on the Chicago sports media landscape.
The 8 p.m. game against the Brewers will simulcast on the Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network and Weigel Broadcasting’s WCIU, the Sun-Times has learned. Marquee will use the game as a promotional tool, and Weigel will make it known that it’s available to air local teams’ games.
WCIU, which is branded as CW26 and broadcasts over the air on Channel 26.1, also is available on Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, neither of which carries Marquee. The simulcast will allow the network to reach an audience it doesn’t have.
Weigel, meanwhile, is effectively throwing its hat in the ring to teams looking for a place to air games. The Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox are exploring their options for broadcast partners as they approach the end of their contract with NBC Sports Chicago in October.
More to come …