According to the Chicago Tribune, Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBG) which owns ROH has partnered with the Chicago Cubs and are creating a regional sports network which would begin it February 2020. It would become the exclusive television home of the Cubs.
According to ticket and business analyst Lavie Margolin this could turn into something big for ROH, “The facts are that the new network is happening. The speculation (my own) is that it would air ROH as every Sinclair property does- except Tennis Channel.”
Sinclair deal with the Cubs is now official. If history is a guide, ROH will air in the 3rd largest market by 2020. @ROH_World @BrandonThurston https://t.co/Hzf5URN1BR pic.twitter.com/aV2hAogrTT
— Lavie Margolin (@Laviemarg) February 13, 2019
The article notes that, “Sinclair owns 191 TV stations and the Tennis Channel, which gives it leverage in negotiations with cable and satellite providers such as Comcast, DirecTV and Dish.
Since acquiring the Tennis Channel in 2016 for $350 million, for example, Sinclair has doubled its reach to 60 million homes.”
If SBG does put ROH on this sports network, it would definitely increase the number of potential eyes on their product.
You can read an official press release about this joint venture below:
New Regional Sports Network Will Be Exclusive Television Home of the Cubs
BALTIMORE and CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) (the “Company” or “Sinclair”) and the Chicago Cubs (“the Cubs”) today announced the formation of a joint venture that will own and operate Marquee Sports Network (“Marquee”), a regional sports network (“RSN”) based in Chicago, Illinois. Marquee will be the Chicago-region’s exclusive network for fans to view live Cubs games beginning with the 2020 Major League Baseball season and will also feature exclusive Cubs content and other local sports programming. In addition to the execution of the joint venture agreement, the Cubs simultaneously entered into a long-term rights agreement with Marquee.
“This partnership brings together one of the most iconic sports franchises in the country with one of the largest television broadcasting companies,” commented Chris Ripley, President and CEO of Sinclair. “It is hard to imagine any content that is more unique and valuable than the live sports entertainment the Cubs have been delivering to their fans for more than a century. Sinclair’s strength in production, distribution and local sales will support bringing more content to more viewers, all while leveraging the latest technology.”
“Providing an enhanced experience for our fans is at the heart of everything we do. We are excited to better serve our fans with expanded and exclusive programming showcasing our remarkable players, beloved ballpark and storied past,” said Crane Kenney, President of Business Operations for the Cubs. “Our dedicated ‘Cubs-centric’ network will carry all available Cubs games and feature uncompromising, in-depth and behind-the-scenes coverage.”