Both the Cubs and Comcast are optimistic about reaching a carriage deal by Opening DayGETTY IMAGES
The Cubs' Marquee Sports Network just signed its first OTT streaming partner in Hulu + Live TV, but the "unsigned elephant in the room remains Comcast/Xfinity," the provider for "half the cable subscribers in the region," according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney said they "still expect Comcast to carry" the new net, but "if someone was worried about it, there's still a way of getting our games" this season. Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts said negotiations with Comcast are "fairly complicated," but sounded optimistic about reaching a deal by Opening Day. He said, "In the end everyone will do what's right for the actual customers. And that's where I'm confident we'll get this all behind us by Opening Day or pretty soon, anyway" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/18). Ricketts: "If you're really concerned, you just call Comcast and let them know" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/18).
DEADLINE DAY? Viewers should not expect Marquee to have a deal with Comcast by this Saturday, when the RSN officially launches. Comcast execs do not view the Feb. 22 launch as a critical time to work out a deal. Instead, they view the Cubs' season opener (March 26 vs. the Brewers) to be more of a deadline. While a deal by Opening Day still is in the offing, it does not look like a sure bet either (John Ourand, SBJ Media). Kenney said it would be "pretty difficult" to reach a carriage agreement with Comcast before Saturday's launch. He said, "Comcast is a priority because they've got half the homes. Conversations are continuing. Everyone takes a different strategy." THE ATHLETIC's Patrick Mooney noted the Cubs' tactics "include using the weight of their Marquee partner, Sinclair Broadcast Group, providing alternatives for fans with platforms like AT&T and hoping public pressure will force Comcast to make a deal." Kenney declined to reveal what the RSN is "asking for in terms of subscriber fees." He also "confirmed Marquee is still trying to get carriage" on YouTube TV and Dish Network, which is "pivoting away from regional sports networks on the basic cable tier" (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/17).
MARKING THEIR TERRITORY: In Chicago, Robert Channick notes Hulu + Live TV will include Marquee as "part of its regular $54.99 monthly package in the Cubs' regional broadcast territory." Marquee already is "set to run on AT&T and RCN" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/18). Also in Chicago, Paul Sullivan notes only fans who subscribe to Hulu + Live TV and "live in the Cubs 'territory'" will be able to see the games. Kenney said that the area "covers roughly all of Illinois and Iowa, most of Indiana (to Indianapolis) and 'a tiny fraction of southwest Michigan and southeast Wisconsin." Kenney added that the Cubs have "talked to MLB about changing the boundaries" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/18).
