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How to watch the Chicago Cubs live in 2024
We are officially into the 2024 MLB season, which means there are months and months of baseball ahead. Hoping to fly the W this season is the Windy City’s Chicago Cubs, hoping to have another winning season and playoff run in 2024, finishing second in the National League Central last year with an 83-79 record.
So far, one of the standout Cubbies is rookie pitcher Ben Brown, who recorded multiple shutout innings in his first MLB start, thanks to his knuckle curveball. Counting on a consistent pitcher will be crucial for the Cubs this season. And Brown isn’t the only new guy on the Cubs roster. Several players who were key to the Cubs’ 2023 success are no longer with the squad, meaning that Chicago will need time to adjust to the new lineup, both at bat and in the outfield.
You can watch the team in action all season long with a strong internet connection and a live TV streaming service subscription. Read on to find out more.
What channels are Chicago Cubs games on this season?
The majority of Chicago Cubs games will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network this season, except for a few nationally televised games scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN, TBS and Fox. MLB Network will also stream Marquee Sports Network games occasionally throughout the season.
| DIRECTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Marquee Sports Network |
✔ |
✔ |
|||
|
ESPN |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Fox |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔* |
✔ |
|
TBS |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
|
MLB Network |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
| *Local channels only available in select locations | |||||
How to watch the Chicago Cubs on DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is the best streaming service for Chicago Cubs baseball fans, thanks to the service’s inclusion of all necessary channels – for those who live in Marquee Sports Network’s market, anyway. With the Choice or Ultimate plan, you’ll get access to nationally televised Cubs games on ESPN, Fox and TBS, as well as, regional games broadcasted on Marquee Sports Network and MLB Network. Note that Marquee Sports Network is only available to Midwestern DIRECTV STREAM customers at this time.
The DIRECTV STREAM Choice plan includes over 125 channels, but if you're looking for more, you can max out your experience by opting for the Ultimate plan, which includes all the Choice plan channels plus over 35 extra channels, including FS2 and NHL Network for sports lovers. All DIRECTV STREAM plans include Unlimited Cloud DVR, so you can catch it later, even if you’ve got a conflict on game day.
Read our complete DIRECTV STREAM review here.
How to watch the Chicago Cubs on Fubo
Fubo isn’t DIRECTV STREAM, but it’s pretty close and for a fraction of the Ultimate plan’s price. Fubo's channel list includes everything you need to watch the Cubbies, except for TBS, due to its exclusion of Turner Broadcasting channels, which includes TBS and TNT. However, fans can still enjoy almost all Chicago Cubs games with any of Fubo's plans.
The Fubo Pro plan includes over 190 channels, 1000 hours of DVR and the ability to stream on unlimited screens in your household. Get all that and more with Fubo Elite or Fubo Premier plans. The Elite plan includes over 260 channels, and the Premier plan includes over 270 channels plus SHOWTIME, a recent addition to Fubo.
Fubo subscribers also have the ability to add MLB TV on top of their regular monthly subscription, which means you can still watch the Cubs without switching between apps if you live outside of Marquee Sports Network territory.
Read our complete Fubo review here.
How to watch the Chicago Cubs on Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is perfect for the casual Cubs fan who will watch baseball if it’s on. You can catch all the Cubs’ nationally televised games on ESPN, TBS and Fox, in addition to dozens of other channels and one of the largest on-demand libraries in streaming. Your monthly subscription gives you access to Hulu’s 90+ live TV channels and thousands of hours of on-demand TV and movies, including Hulu Originals.
Plus, Hulu + Live TV is only the beginning. Your subscription also gives you access to both ESPN Plus and Disney Plus. While Hulu + Live TV may not be the best choice for diehard Cubs fans, there’s plenty of sports content to choose from with access to channels like NFL Network, ESPN 2 and Golf Channel. People also love that Hulu + Live TV includes great features like unlimited cloud DVR.
Read our complete Hulu review here.
How to watch the Chicago Cubs on Sling TV
Sling TV is another (even more so) cost-effective way to watch nationally televised Chicago Cubs games. Sling TV plans start at just $40 per month, which leaves you enough cash to spend on customization options like the Sports Extra package, which includes MLB Network. But to start, Cubs fans will want to opt for a Sling Orange plan, which includes ESPN and TBS, or a Sling Orange & Blue plan, which includes the latter and Fox and still carries a reasonable price.
If you opt to spring for the Sports Extra package, you gain access to not only MLB Network but also ESPN3, NBA TV and nearly 20 other sports channels. All Sling TV subscribers can also take advantage of 50 hours of DVR or upgrade to 200 hours of DVR Plus for an additional $5 per month.
Read our complete Sling TV review here.
How to watch the Chicago Cubs on YouTube TV
If you’re thinking about becoming a Chicago Cubs fan but aren’t on the bandwagon yet, YouTube TV may be a good streaming service for you. Just like its competitor, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV’s channel lineup includes all the channels you need to watch every nationally televised Cubs game this season. In addition to ESPN, Fox and TBS, YouTube TV’s Base plan includes over 100 additional channels to enjoy when you’re tired of baseball.
More of a Chicago Bears fan? Just hold on for a few months. YouTube TV is a great option for NFL fans, especially since becoming the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket. No matter what sport you enjoy watching, all YouTube TV subscribers can enjoy features like unlimited cloud DVR and the ability to create up to six individual profiles, perfect for large households.
Read our complete YouTube TV review here.
How to watch the Chicago Cubs on Apple TV+
- New Apple Originals streaming every month
- Compatible with most streaming devices
- Includes select MLB and MLS games
Due to a recent streaming deal between Apple and MLB, “Friday Night Baseball” will be available exclusively on Apple TV+ this season, with no broadcast restrictions standing in your way. However, an Apple TV+ subscription is required to get access to the weekly doubleheaders this season.
How to watch Chicago Cubs out-of-market games with MLB TV
If you don’t have access to Marquee Sports Network where you live, you can still catch Chicago Cubs games with an MLB TV subscription. Learn more here about the different plans available for the 2024 MLB season.
FAQ
How can I watch the Cubs without Marquee Network?
There are several ways to watch the Cubs without Marquee Network. Because Marquee Network is a regional sports network, it is only available in certain parts of the country, which means you can watch all Cubs games with an MLB TV subscription, so long as they aren’t nationally televised. Luckily, the Cubs are only scheduled to be on national television (Fox, TBS and ESPN) a handful of times this season.
Can I watch Cubs games for free?
Without a paid subscription of some kind, it will be difficult to watch Cubs games for free this season. However, there are cost-effective options available, such as MLB TV and Sling TV, that won’t break the bank.
Who carries the Cubs?
A few television channels primarily carry Cubs baseball, especially Marquee Sports Network. Other networks include ESPN, Fox and the MLB Network. You can find these channels and more on top sports streaming platforms.
