When it comes to sports coverage, Hulu with Live TV is one of the best live TV streaming services, especially with access to ESPN and Disney channels. And it's getting even better with a new channel that might hint at further change.
Marquee Sports Network announced that it's coming to Hulu at no additional fee, and it will be available to subscribers in the Chicago Cubs market. The network is available now, just in time for MLB's Opening Day on March 26, when the Cubs take on the Washington Nationals.
The market covers some 3.6 million television households per Sports Media Watch.
Additionally, Marquee announced that the network's direct-to-consumer service will be available to purchase through Prime Video, which will cost you an additional $19.99 a month.
“With the addition of Hulu + Live TV and the launch on Prime Video, we are ensuring comprehensive access to Cubs coverage across both traditional streaming bundles and direct-to-consumer platforms in time for Opening Day," Will Bell, a senior VP and head of distribution and network relations, said in the press release.
A hint at evolving sports streaming?
This deal could change how Hulu offers sports coverage. Before this announcement, the streaming only carried a few regional sports networks including the NBC ones based in Boston, Philadelphia and the Bay Area according to the Chicago Tribune.
The only services that offer most RSNs are Fubo TV and DirecTV Steam, per CordCutterNews. YouTube TV has more but nowhere near the breadth of Fubo or DirecTV.
Unfortunately, due to the byzantine contracts and strange blackout rules streaming your local team can be a stupendous undertaking, unless you sign up for the extremely expensive season services like NFL Sunday Ticket or MLB TV.
If Hulu is expanding with more RSN coverage, it could make the service more appealing to sports fans. However, it'll need more to make it worthwhile in other regions beyond Chicago.
