MLB fans in the Chicagoland area can live stream the Cubs on the Marquee Sports Network with fuboTV or DIRECTV STREAM “Choice.” Out-of-market Cubs fans will get the most value by signing up for MLB.TV.
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The two live TV streaming services that carry Cubs games, DIRECTV STREAM “Choice” and fuboTV, are compatible with most streaming devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. As the only streaming service with the Marquee Sports Network in its base package, plus NBC Sports Chicago, and WFLD-TV FOX 32 for watching the Bears, our top pick for Cubs fans is fuboTV.
Watch the Cubs on Marquee Sports Network in the base package. WFLD-TV FOX 32 Chicago for Bears games. | $74.99 / month | 7 Day Free Trial |
Watch the Cubs on Marquee Sports Network. WFLD-TV FOX 32 Chicago for Bears games. | $99.99 / month | 5 Day Free Trial |
The most important channels for Cubs fans
Like the Yankees with the YES Network, the Cubs have their own dedicated regional sports network (RSNs) called the Marquee Sports Network. Marquee Sports is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting, and two live TV streaming providers currently have the right to play the channel: fuboTV and DirecTV Stream.
When the Cubs are on national TV, which as a franchise with a large following they will be more than most teams, ESPN, FS1, TBS, FOX, and MLB Network will be the channels to make sure your live TV streaming service carries. On occasion, the Cubs might also appear in an exclusive “streaming only” game on either Apple TV+ or Peacock. When the Cubs are on a national broadcast, the Marquee Sports Network will usually be blacked out to enforce TV contracts.
| DIRECTV STREAM – Choice | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV Blue + Sports Extra | Sling Blue | Sling Orange & Blue | YouTube TV | |
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| $99.99 / month | $74.99 / month | $69.99 / month | $46 / month | $35 / month | $50 / month | $72.99 / month |
If you live in Chicago
Marquee Sports Network will be available in these markets:
- Chicago area and surrounding regions,
- Indianapolis,
- South Bend,
- and Des Moines
For fans in and around these areas, the streaming services listed below will carry Marquee Sports Network.
fuboTV
Even with fuboTV’s recent price hike, the service is a full $20 per month cheaper than DirecTV Stream “Choice,” so if you are in the market for Cubs games as a first priority, fuboTV is the clear winner here. Now, Chicago fans listen up, because there is one drawback with fuboTV here, which is the service doesn’t currently carry TBS or TNT.
TBS has the rights to an increasing sports lineup, including Tuesday Night Baseball and a good chunk of the NL playoffs.
We still recommend fuboTV in the top spot for the Cubs because the platform is our overall winner for watching the Chicago Bears and, as an added bonus, carries NBC Sports Chicago, which gets you Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox games if you are ever to check in on some South Side baseball.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream “Choice” gets you Marquee Sports Network, as well as FOX 32 Chicago for Bears action, but the extra price is only justifiable if TBS and TNT are must have sports networks for you.
DirecTV Stream also carries NBC Sports Chicago.
Read our DirecTV Stream review for sports fans.
If you live outside of Chicago
If you live outside of the Marquee Sports territory, MLB.TV is the only game in town for following the entire Cubs season.
MLB.TV – watch every game
MLB.TV is the premium out-of-market option for MLB fans. With MLB.TV fans can circumvent the regional broadcast rules and watch any game they like, including Chicago Cubs games. If you want to follow just one team all summer, the rate drops to a one time annual fee of $109.99.
ESPN+ – intermittent coverage
If you don’t need every Cubs game, ESPN+ plays one out-of-market MLB game every day during the regular season. It’s not a solution for following one team, but it does offer a diverse lineup of baseball for the fan who wants to see a wide array of teams.
Read our ESPN+ review.
How to watch the Cubs on national TV
When the Cubs appear on a “big stage” national game, like Sunday Night Baseball, Marquee Sports Network will be blacked out. In the guide below, we tell you how to watch the Cubs when they are in a national game.