Two weeks ago, I posted this article noting a report from Bruce Levine that the Cubs were going to, as expected, launch their own TV network with a “broadcast equity partner” beginning with the 2020 season.
Wednesday, that became a bit more official with this announcement from NBC Sports Chicago:
BREAKING: NBC Sports Chicago and the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks today announced a multi-year media rights deal that provides NBC Sports Chicago with exclusive local, multi-platform media rights to present game coverage of all three teams starting with the 2019-2020 season 1/
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) January 2, 2019
What’s key here is that the Cubs are absent from the NBCS Chicago deal, which makes sense given they are seeking their own RSN.