The Chicago Bears and Marquee Sports Network today announced a partnership that will bring a weekly Bears show, followed by the exclusive re-airing of Bears regular season games to the cable network.
The weekly show, "Bear Essentials," will typically air Tuesday evenings and be hosted by Marquee Sports Network host Cole Wright. Wright, who joined Marquee from the NFL Network, will be joined by Bears personnel and analysts as they break down the week in Bears action and look ahead to the following Bears matchup. Immediately following the show, Marquee Sports Network will air a two-hour director's cut of the Bears' most recent regular-season game.
"We're excited to bring Bears fans more access to the news and information they crave with additional Bears coverage and analysis on Marquee Sports Network," said Scott Hagel, Bears Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications.
"The opportunity to build on our Chicago Cubs foundation with the addition of unique Bears content and weekly game carriage is tremendous," said Mike McCarthy, General Manager of Marquee Sports Network. "We're thrilled to partner with the iconic Chicago Bears organization and serve Chicago sports fans more original content."
"Given our long and storied history together and the special relationship between the McCaskey and Ricketts families, a reunion of Cubs and Bears programming on Marquee feels incredibly natural," added Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney.
Beginning this Wednesday, Oct. 14, "Bear Essentials" will air at 7 p.m. immediately following The Stadium. The Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup will re-air immediately following "Bear Essentials" at 7:30 p.m.
"Wrigley Field was home to the Chicago Bears from 1921 to 1970, and it will be spectacular to have Bears coverage back in Wrigleyville on Marquee Sports Network," McCarthy added.
Per NFL rules, these shows will only run in the Chicago, Rockford and South Bend areas. Marquee extends beyond those markets but will be blacked out in areas outside the team's primary and secondary markets.
Marquee Sports Network is jointly owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and the Chicago Cubs. For more information, visit www.marqueesportsnetwork.com and follow the network on social media at @WatchMarquee.
