Hulu Announces New Channel For Millions of Subscribers

Hulu Live is one of the most popular options for cord-cutters looking to ditch their cable subscriptions, and the service just added a new channel for millions customers that should be exciting for Chicago Cubs fans.

Just in time for the new MLB season, Hulu Live has announced the addition of the Marquee Sports Network, which will be available to subscribers in the Cubs’ market at no additional fee.

Hulu Adds Marquee Network

On Wednesday, Marquee Network announced that it is now available on Hulu Live in the Chicago Cubs media market – which covers around 3.6 million television households, according to Sports Media Watch – at no additional fee.

Additionally, the network announced that its direct-to-consumer service is available for purchase on Prime Video, as well, but that will come at an extra fee.

“These agreements represent meaningful momentum as we continue expanding distribution and providing greater flexibility for fans,” Will Bell, a Sinclair senior vice president and the head of distribution and network relations, said in a statement. “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.”

This comes just in time for the start of the upcoming MLB season, as the Cubs are set to take on the Washington Nationals on March 26 to open the season.

A Sign of Things to Come?

While Hulu is a popular option for cord-cutters, it has not consistently offered many Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), as the Chicago Tribune points out, so this appears to mark a bit of a shift in the network's strategy.

"Hulu carries only a few RSNs, including NBC’s regional networks in Boston, the California Bay Area and Philadelphia. It doesn’t carry the Yankees’ YES Network or the Red Sox’ NESN, two of the leading RSNs in the country, nor does it carry Chicago Sports Network, home of the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks," the Chicago Tribune wrote this week.

Perhaps this could be a sign of things to come for other RSNs as Hulu looks to compete for subscribers and appeal to sports fans.