NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Athletics will maintain its television footprint in the Chicago media market for the 2018 Redbird football season, with four live game broadcasts scheduled on NBC Sports Chicago. The behind-the-scenes Redbird football series "The Next Step" is also set to return this fall, after Redbird Sports Properties signed an agreement with Illinois State's longtime broadcast partner.
Redbird fans who receive NBC Sports Chicago will be able to watch the Sept. 1 (Saint Xavier) and the Sept. 8 (Eastern Illinois) games live on NBC Sports Chicago Plus beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Oct.