If there "was ever a sign that these are new times" for
WGN-WB when it comes to broadcasting Cubs games, "this
season will be it," according to Jim Kirk of the CHICAGO
TRIBUNE. For the first time since WGN has been televising
Cubs games, "it won't be broadcasting Opening Day." The
station won't air the Cubs' first six games, including the
team's opener in Japan and its first series in the U.S.
against the Cardinals. WGN was "ready to go to Japan to
carry" the two-game series against the Mets, but it "was
turned back at the last minute" when MLB Int'l sold the
rights to FSN. Kirk writes that it is "clear that [WGN]
will no longer have the pick of the litter when it comes to
broadcasting Cubs games," after the team's new multimillion-
dollar contract with FSN last year. WGN will air 79 games,
with eight airing on WCIU-IND. FSN will air 73 games, 16
more than last season, but "some of those games will run" on
Tribune Co.-owned CLTV-IND. In the future, FSN and WGN
"will likely trade Opening Day telecasts and other key games
during the season" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/23).
