MLB viewing guide for Cubs, White Sox fans

You know what I can’t stand? The complete answer is as long as the list of FAST channels you never watch on your connected TV. But for the purpose of this column, I’ll give you one: internet stories about an upcoming game with a headline that begins “How to watch …”

Those stories are intended to be helpful. I find them insulting. You know how I watch a game? I turn on the TV, enter the channel number and sit down. Call me old-fashioned, but that really should be all it takes.

The issue isn’t HOW to watch (with my eyes, duh!). It’s WHERE to watch. Sports properties seem to be moving all over the map, and you have to follow along closely to keep up. This is what I do. You see that calendar on the right? I fill that in. I’ve entered channels you’ve never watched.

Which brings us to the MLB season that starts with one game on Wednesday. Why? Because of TV – streaming, actually.

That’s just one aspect of MLB’s new three-year media-rights deals. I won’t explain HOW to watch the games. You’re smart enough to figure that out. But here’s a guide for WHERE to find them and how many will include the Cubs and White Sox.

Netflix

Welcome to the party, pal! The world’s largest paid streaming service will air an MLB game in the United States for the first time when the Yankees visit the Giants at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday. Netflix will carry the stand-alone season opener in 2027 and ’28, as well (barring a labor stoppage, of course).

Netflix also will air the Home Run Derby on July 13 in Philadelphia and the “Field of Dreams” game Aug. 13 between the Phillies and Twins. It could be just the beginning of a relationship between MLB and Netflix, which delivered the entire World Baseball Classic to Japan. Could that happen here?

Cubs/Sox games: None.

NBC/NBCSN/Peacock

The second game of the MLB season (Pirates at Mets, 12:15 p.m. Thursday) will air on NBC, which is back with baseball again. NBC also will show the World Series champion Dodgers host the Diamondbacks at 7:30.

But the network’s biggest day during the regular season will be Sundays when Peacock streams the “Sunday Leadoff” package it originally carried in 2022-23 and NBC airs the “Sunday Night Baseball” franchise that belonged to ESPN. Former White Sox TV voice Jason Benetti will be NBC’s lead voice for “SNF.” He’ll be joined by analysts from the participating teams.

Here’s where it gets tricky: Most games exclusive to Peacock, such as “Sunday Leadoff” games, will simulcast on NBC Sports Network. Some Sunday night games will air on Peacock and simulcast on NBCSN because of conflicts on NBC with previously negotiated contracts.

Also, NBC will air the Futures Game on All-Star Sunday, Peacock will carry every game July 5 as part of “Star-Spangled Sunday” and NBC, NBCSN and Peacock will air every game of the wild-card round.

Cubs/Sox games: The Cubs are scheduled for three appearances on “Sunday Night Baseball” (May 31 at Cardinals, June 7 vs. Giants, Aug. 30 vs. Reds at 2 p.m.), and the Sox have one on “Sunday Leadoff” (July 19 at Blue Jays, 11 a.m.). Both will be on Peacock on July 5.

ESPN

After 36 seasons, ESPN is out of the “Sunday Night Baseball” business, but it’s still in the MLB business. The network’s new exclusive schedule will focus on the summer, with 23 of its 30 games airing in June, July and August. ESPN also will air games on Jackie Robinson Day (April 15) and Memorial Day (May 25), as well as the Little League Classic between the Braves and Brewers (Aug. 23). And baseball returns to ABC with a three-game schedule.

Cubs/Sox games: The Cubs will appear on two ABC broadcasts (June 14 at Giants and Aug. 16 vs. Cardinals, both Sundays at 2 p.m.). ESPN’s schedule is still mostly to be determined.

Fox/FS1

Fox Sports will air more than 85 games, including 23 on Saturdays on “Baseball Night in America.” Fox also has the All-Star Game and World Series, and Fox and FS1 will have games in the league championship and division series.

Cubs/Sox games: The Cubs are scheduled for six appearances on Fox, the first coming April 4 at the Guardians, and two on FS1 that are non-exclusive.

TBS

The network will air games on Tuesday nights in the regular season, as well as in the league championship and division series.

Cubs/Sox games: TBS released its first-half schedule, which has the Cubs making two appearances. Those broadcasts will be blacked out in Chicago because Marquee Sports Network will carry the games.

Apple TV

The streamer will air two exclusive games on Friday nights in the regular season.

Cubs/Sox games: The Cubs have three appearances in the first half (April 24 at Dodgers, May 22 vs. Astros at 1:20 p.m. and June 26 at Brewers).

MLB Network

The 24/7 home for baseball will air games almost every day, but Cubs and Sox games will be blacked out locally because they’ll air on Marquee and Chicago Sports Network, respectively.

Chicago Sports Network

CHSN will carry almost every Sox game. It also will simulcast 10 over the air on The U (WCIU-Channel 26), including four games against the Cubs.

Marquee Sports Network

Marquee will carry a vast majority of Cubs games, but it already has lost 14 to national networks. That number will increase.