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How to Watch Marquee Sports Network Online Without Cable

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Marquee Sports Network is the official home of the Chicago Cubs, providing unmatched access to live baseball games and other premium sports content. And, you don’t need cable to enjoy all the action.

In a hurry? If you just want to enjoy the Cubs season, these two streaming services provide everything you need:

  • Fubo: Get over 130 channels including a great selection of RSNs starting at $85.98/mo. Fubo allows you to try out its service free for 7 days.
  • DIRECTV STREAM: Sets you up with every regional channel in your area and 100+ others for $99.99/mo. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.

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Streaming Services with Marquee Sports Network

Marquee Sports Network is available from many providers. In the cable and satellite industries, the biggest are Comcast/Xfinity and DirecTV. But in terms of streaming, there are only two options. Thankfully, they are both excellent.

Note that depending on where you live, you may get other channels beside the Chicago-based ones. If you live in Indianapolis, for example, you will also get Bally Sports Ohio and Bally Sports Midwest, which provides coverage of Reds (MLB), Pacers (NBA), and Blues (NHL). Both services provide these.

FuboTV

fubotv logo
Chicago RSNsMarquee Sports Network
NBC Sports Chicago
NBC Sports Chicago Plus
Local Chicago ChannelsABC, CBS, Fox, NBC
Total Channels105+
Cloud DVR750 hours
Simultaneous Screens10
Free Trial
FuboTV Price$88.98/mo

FuboTV includes Marquee Sports Network in its Fubo package as well as the three NBC Sports RSNs for $88.98/mo. It also includes all the local channels so you won’t miss out on what’s going on.

In addition to this, FuboTV is arguably the best overall sports streaming service. Of the over 105 channels in its base plan, over 35 are sports-focused. These include CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and many more. And FuboTV streams over 130 events each year in 4K!

Note that FuboTV provides Marquee Sports Network nationwide. But only those in the Cubs’ broadcast area get the live games. For everyone else, they are blacked out.

Cubs fans really can’t do as well with any other service. If you want more information, check out these articles:

Sign Up for a Free 7-Day Fubo Trial

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM
Chicago RSNs Marquee Sports Network
NBC Sports Chicago
Local Chicago Channels ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC
Total Channels90+
Cloud DVRUnlimited (online sign-up)
Simultaneous Screens20 (home) and 3 (away)
Free Trial
DIRECTV STREAM Price$99.99/mo

You can catch up on the Chicago Cubs games this MLB season through Marquee Sports Network on DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV). It also includes NBC Sports Chicago so you will get great coverage of all the local teams. And, of course, you get the local network affiliates.

In order to get the RSNs, you must purchase DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice plan for $99.99/mo.

You will also get other sports channels ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, and more. If you want to know more about DIRECTV STREAM, see our review.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free for 5 Days

Other Ways to Get Marquee Sports Network

Apart from online streaming services, you have two options.

Marquee Sports Network App

You can also watch Marquee Sports Network on the official app, which is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android, iOS, Roku, and tvOS.

It still requires that you subscribe to a service that includes Marquee Sports Network. To make matters worse, the app currently doesn’t support FuboTV. Only DIRECTV STREAM customers can use it.

And, of course, Marquee Sports Network is only available in-home television territories. These are areas defined by MLB as part of a club’s home market. So this app doesn’t really provide anything you aren’t already getting from the streaming services.

MLB.tv

MLB.tv will not provide you access to the Marquee Sports Network. But it is a great option for a certain kind of Cubs fan — the kind that doesn’t live in Chicago.

MLB.tv provides access to most live MLB games for $24.99 per month or $149.99 for the whole season. The catch? There is a blackout delay for all in-market games. So if you live near the Cubs, you will have to wait an hour and a half after each game to watch it.

But for Cubs fans who live far away, this is a great deal!

Marquee Sports Network Website
Marquee Sports Network Website.

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TVs and Mobile Devices for Marquee Sports Network

There are a lot of details about just what TVs and devices different live TV streaming services provide.

But, the bottom line is always the same: they provide support for the vast majority of units. Unless you have an old or unusual device, you are almost certainly covered.

FuboTV Supported Devices

  • TVs: Hisense, LG, Samsung, and those with Android TV
  • Streaming Media Players: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast
  • Browsers: All major
  • Mobile: Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)
  • Game Consoles: Xbox One. 

DIRECTV STREAM Supported Devices

  • TVs: Samsung and those with Android TV
  • Streaming Media Players: Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast
  • Browsers: All major
  • Mobile: Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)

Note that DIRECTV STREAM provides its own streaming device, which can make the process of transitioning from cable easier.

Sign Up for a Free 7-Day Fubo Trial

Marquee Sports Network Overview

Formed in February 2020, Marquee Sports Network is dedicated to the Chicago Cubs. In that way, it’s much like the Yankees’ YES Network, but even more focused.

It broadcasts virtually every home game at Wrigley Field as well as every away game from Opening Day onward. You will also get some Spring Training games but not playoff games, which appear on national stations.

It also features pregame and postgame coverage, local sports programming, documentaries, behind-the-scenes Cubs coverage, national sports programs, and the podcasts Cubs Weekly and Off the Mound With Ryan Dumpster. It even features minor league games.

In other words, Marquee is a must-have channel for Chicago Cubs fans.

In addition, Marquee Sports Network provides a lot of other content. They have original shows like Let’s Play Two! as well as syndicated shows like Follow the Money. It also aired some WNBA Chicago Sky games in 2022. We don’t know if they will return in 2023.

Streaming services are the only way to watch Marquee Sports Network without cable. They have become popular for their convenience and affordability. But most of them do not provide wide support for regional sports networks (RSNs) like Marquee.

Besides Marquee, which is focused on the Cubs, the Chicago area has one other important RSN: NBC Sports Chicago. It provides coverage for the White Sox (MLB), Bulls (NBA), and Blackhawks (NHL).

Sign Up for a Free 7-Day Fubo Trial

Where Marquee Sports Is Available

Marquee Sports Network, like most RSNs, is only available to customers in its coverage area. In this case, that means parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. This may seem like a great restriction, but it really isn’t. Cubs fans outside the coverage area can get MLB.tv, which we discuss below.

There are many advantages to using a streaming service to deliver Marquee Sports Network. The biggest is probably price. Even the relatively expensive streaming services are notably cheaper than cable.

Streaming services also allow you to watch TV on multiple TVs and devices. So if you have a large household that can’t agree on what to watch, there’s no problem. And the streaming services work on just about every device imaginable — from the biggest smart TV to the smallest iPhone. 

Marquee Sports Network Commentators

Jon Sciambi has been the play-by-play announcer for local Chicago Cubs broadcasts since the 2021 campaign. He also provides his talents to ESPN Radio’s national airings of MLB games.

Color commentator Jim Deshaies joined the booth at the same time as Sciambi. Pat Hughes and Beth Mowins are heard sporadically while Taylor McGregor and Elise Menaker regularly serve as field reporters.

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Wrapping Up

Marquee Sports Network is an emerging contender in the world of network sports. With dedicated coverage of the Chicago Cubs and exclusive TV shows such as Cubs 360 Daily, Cubs Classics, and Marquee Sports Network Films, it has proven to be an invaluable resource for Cubs fans. If you are one, Marquee Sports Network is a must.

Since it is relatively new, you have only two options to get Marquee without cable: DIRECTV STREAM and FuboTV. Both these services offer excellent and convenient packages even without Marquee. 

If you’re in or near the Chicago area and passionate about baseball, then get Marquee Sports Network! FuboTV is our top choice. Fubo allows you to try out its service free for 7 days.

Sign Up for a Free 7-Day Fubo Trial

FAQs

Can I watch Marquee Sports Network on Hulu + Live TV?

Unfortunately, Hulu + Live TV dropped Marquee Sports Network from its channel line-up in October 2020. Hulu + Live TV could not reach an agreement with the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which along with the Chicago Cubs, owns the network. Hulu has not shown much interest in adding new RSNs to its lineup.

Does YouTube TV offer Marquee Sports Network?

YouTube TV ended its relationship with Sinclair at roughly the same time as Hulu + Live TV. At this time, they only offer the same NBC Sports RSNs as Hulu provides. Similarly, they have not shown any interest in adding RSNs unlike FuboTV, which has added Marquee and other RSNs over the last year.

Other than Chicago Cubs games, what does Marquee Sports Network air?

Along with the Chicago Cubs’ coverage, Marquee provides pre and postgame shows, documentaries, and other sports coverage including minor league games. It also airs shows:

  • Play at Home Trivia
  • Cubs Countdown
  • Marquee Sports Network Films
  • Cubs 360 Daily.

Can I live stream Marquee Sports Network?

Yes, you can easily stream Marquee Sports Network on most devices you own. Both FuboTV and DIRECTV STREAM offer their own apps on all supported devices that will allow you to watch every Cubs game live. You can also use the Marquee Sports Network app with your DIRECTV STREAM credentials. If you use FuboTV, you will need to stick to its app.

How can I watch the Cubs’ divisional rivals?

See the following links for information on streaming other teams in the National League Central:

How can I watch other sports channels?

The following guides show you how to watch most major sports channels without cable:

Ditch “Big Cable” Now – 3 Simple Steps to Cut the Cord

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That’s it — you’ll save money, take back control, and enjoy TV more!

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0 replies on “How to Watch Marquee Sports Network Online Without Cable

I agree, I cannot afford to pay that much for Marquee Sports and I’m a lifelong Cubs fan! Being on Social Security and not being able to work makes life hard, and how I would love to watch my Cubbies on TV again!

If you live inside the Cubs’ broadcast area (which admittedly is large), you are left with FuboTV for $69.99/mo. However, that also includes well over 100 channels. You really don’t need anything else. If you happen to be outside the area, you can get MLB.TV, which is much cheaper. It’s only $24.99/mo. But right now, it’s offering the service for $24.99/mo for the rest of the season.

I don’t understand why Marquee doesn’t offer a direct pay plan. I have FireTV and I can download the Marquee App. I have regular Hulu, HBO, and Showtime thru Apps with my Amazon Prime membership. Those services are all in the $7 to $10 a month range. I have no interest in Hulu Live. I cut the cord from Satellite and Cable because I didn’t want to pay exorbitant prices for things I wasn’t going to use. This is the trend of the market and not just me. People don’t want to pay $65 a month for just the one thing they care about (in this case Cubs games). I’d happily pay $10 a month to be able to use the Marquee App to watch Cubs games, but as huge a lifetime Cubs fan as I am I will never pay $65 a month to watch the games I use to watch for free.

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