Ricketts to Address Direction of Franchise Within 10 Days

[Sammy Sofa]

The ratings are down since the last time the team was good? GETOUTTAHERE.

 

Networknetworknetwork. [expletive] WGN and Comcast.

[C.C.]

You can't "catch 'em all on WGN" now, so I think the world will continue spinning.

 

Yup, they really cut the WGN games. I think it's just under 50 this year.

 

While owning 20% of CSN Chicago helps their bottom line, it is killing interest for Cub fans outside of the Chicagoland area. I'm all for them to put the CSN games back on WGN America and having this silly local blackout rule lifted for the out of towners. If I'm in LA and don't want to watch the Dodgers or Angels, I should be able to watch the Cubs.

 

By the way, tv ratings for the Cubs are down 14% from last year and down 47% from 2008.

 

For obvious reasons.

[CubColtPacer]

You can't "catch 'em all on WGN" now, so I think the world will continue spinning.

 

Yup, they really cut the WGN games. I think it's just under 50 this year.

 

While owning 20% of CSN Chicago helps their bottom line, it is killing interest for Cub fans outside of the Chicagoland area. I'm all for them to put the CSN games back on WGN America and having this silly local blackout rule lifted for the out of towners. If I'm in LA and don't want to watch the Dodgers or Angels, I should be able to watch the Cubs.

 

By the way, tv ratings for the Cubs are down 14% from last year and down 47% from 2008.

 

It looks to be 64 this year. It just made too much sense financially for them to switch. MLB was forcing them to pay for games shown on WGN, and they receive money from their partnership for CSN. If one of those were removed, maybe they consider it. But there's no way they pay money when they could be receiving money instead.

[jersey cubs fan]

While owning 20% of CSN Chicago helps their bottom line, it is killing interest for Cub fans outside of the Chicagoland area.

 

It is a different time and place from when WGN helped them draw in a nationwide audience. Exposure in a starved market is how they capitalized on that issue. But that era is over. Keeping them on WGN isn't just a hit to the short-term bottom line, it's bad for long-term business. The nationwide presence is there. And it's not going anywhere, unless they just lose every season.

[Guest]

While owning 20% of CSN Chicago helps their bottom line, it is killing interest for Cub fans outside of the Chicagoland area.

 

It is a different time and place from when WGN helped them draw in a nationwide audience. Exposure in a starved market is how they capitalized on that issue. But that era is over. Keeping them on WGN isn't just a hit to the short-term bottom line, it's bad for long-term business. The nationwide presence is there. And it's not going anywhere, unless they just lose every season.

It's also there because of so many displaced midwesterners. There still isn't much baseball in the south. Atlanta and St. Louis pretty much split up the southeast from South Carolina to Oklahoma. The Cubs will always draw well.

[hardcorecubfan]

While owning 20% of CSN Chicago helps their bottom line, it is killing interest for Cub fans outside of the Chicagoland area.

 

It is a different time and place from when WGN helped them draw in a nationwide audience. Exposure in a starved market is how they capitalized on that issue. But that era is over. Keeping them on WGN isn't just a hit to the short-term bottom line, it's bad for long-term business. The nationwide presence is there. And it's not going anywhere, unless they just lose every season.

 

 

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

[Elwood]

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

It has no other redeeming qualities.

 

Even its promos irritate me.

[Pushfrog98]

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

It has no other redeeming qualities.

 

Even its promos irritate me.

Exactly. Not having Cubs games on WGN has sucked for me. Not everybody gets a job where their favorite sports team is located. I get to watch the occasional WGN night game and once in a while a Sunday Night game. I think I've seen maybe 5 or 6 games on TV in the past 3 years.

[SouthSideRyan]

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

It has no other redeeming qualities.

 

Even its promos irritate me.

Exactly. Not having Cubs games on WGN has sucked for me. Not everybody gets a job where their favorite sports team is located. I get to watch the occasional WGN night game and once in a while a Sunday Night game. I think I've seen maybe 5 or 6 games on TV in the past 3 years.

 

MLBTV

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

It has no other redeeming qualities.

 

Even its promos irritate me.

 

 

Everything about that network makes it seem like it's still the 90s. As a nj based fan though, it's the only place to catch a Cubs game consistently.

[jersey cubs fan]

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

It has no other redeeming qualities.

 

Even its promos irritate me.

 

 

Everything about that network makes it seem like it's still the 90s. As a nj based fan though, it's the only place to catch a Cubs game consistently.

 

You can come over if you bring scotch.

[Pushfrog98]

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

It has no other redeeming qualities.

 

Even its promos irritate me.

Exactly. Not having Cubs games on WGN has sucked for me. Not everybody gets a job where their favorite sports team is located. I get to watch the occasional WGN night game and once in a while a Sunday Night game. I think I've seen maybe 5 or 6 games on TV in the past 3 years.

 

MLBTV

I've been tempted, but worry about A)Blackout rules and B) My internet connection SUCKS. We have a very old infrastructure that needs updated badly. They're slowly making headway, but until then, I usually lose connection about every 10-15 minutes. I feel like I'm in 1995.

[CyHawk_Cub]

Gosh guys. Am I the only want that wants Hendry to stay?

 

Nope, you're not alone. I'm guessing one Jim Hendry wants Hendry to stay.

[Sammy Sofa]

While owning 20% of CSN Chicago helps their bottom line, it is killing interest for Cub fans outside of the Chicagoland area.

 

It is a different time and place from when WGN helped them draw in a nationwide audience. Exposure in a starved market is how they capitalized on that issue. But that era is over. Keeping them on WGN isn't just a hit to the short-term bottom line, it's bad for long-term business. The nationwide presence is there. And it's not going anywhere, unless they just lose every season.

 

 

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

Bulls. And for the godforsaken of the world, Blackhawks.

[jersey cubs fan]

While owning 20% of CSN Chicago helps their bottom line, it is killing interest for Cub fans outside of the Chicagoland area.

 

It is a different time and place from when WGN helped them draw in a nationwide audience. Exposure in a starved market is how they capitalized on that issue. But that era is over. Keeping them on WGN isn't just a hit to the short-term bottom line, it's bad for long-term business. The nationwide presence is there. And it's not going anywhere, unless they just lose every season.

 

 

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

Bulls. And for the godforsaken of the world, Blackhawks.

 

Those aren't on the superstation though, right ? Just local WGN Channel 9?

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't know.

[SouthSideRyan]

While owning 20% of CSN Chicago helps their bottom line, it is killing interest for Cub fans outside of the Chicagoland area.

 

It is a different time and place from when WGN helped them draw in a nationwide audience. Exposure in a starved market is how they capitalized on that issue. But that era is over. Keeping them on WGN isn't just a hit to the short-term bottom line, it's bad for long-term business. The nationwide presence is there. And it's not going anywhere, unless they just lose every season.

 

 

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

Bulls. And for the godforsaken of the world, Blackhawks.

 

Strike that, reverse it.

[SouthSideRyan]

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

It has no other redeeming qualities.

 

Even its promos irritate me.

Exactly. Not having Cubs games on WGN has sucked for me. Not everybody gets a job where their favorite sports team is located. I get to watch the occasional WGN night game and once in a while a Sunday Night game. I think I've seen maybe 5 or 6 games on TV in the past 3 years.

 

MLBTV

I've been tempted, but worry about A)Blackout rules and B) My internet connection SUCKS. We have a very old infrastructure that needs updated badly. They're slowly making headway, but until then, I usually lose connection about every 10-15 minutes. I feel like I'm in 1995.

 

You shouldn't be concerned with blackout rules in St. Louis. All you'll have to put up with is Cardinals announcers during Cubs/Cards games.

[Sammy Sofa]

Ugh, no.

[North Iowa Cub]

MLBTV

I've been tempted, but worry about A)Blackout rules and B) My internet connection SUCKS. We have a very old infrastructure that needs updated badly. They're slowly making headway, but until then, I usually lose connection about every 10-15 minutes. I feel like I'm in 1995.

 

You shouldn't be concerned with blackout rules in St. Louis. All you'll have to put up with is Cardinals announcers during Cubs/Cards games.

 

By the way I read it last time I checked, I would be blacked out of Minnesota, Milwaukee, both Chicago teams Kansas City and St. Louis games. Am I reading it wrong? I really can't fathom a scenario where I would any of those teams except Minnesota, is losing my ticket money if I choose to watch the game on MLBTV. For heaven's sake I WANT to give them my money but I guess they think I might drive 355 miles on a random night to watch in person if I can't see it on their (from all reports) crappy internet service.

[jersey cubs fan]

Has anybody else reported on this supposed address?

[woodchip2153]

By the way I read it last time I checked, I would be blacked out of Minnesota, Milwaukee, both Chicago teams Kansas City and St. Louis games. Am I reading it wrong? I really can't fathom a scenario where I would any of those teams except Minnesota, is losing my ticket money if I choose to watch the game on MLBTV. For heaven's sake I WANT to give them my money but I guess they think I might drive 355 miles on a random night to watch in person if I can't see it on their (from all reports) crappy internet service.

 

the blackout restrictions suck, but I've had MLB.tv for two years now with almost no picture quality complaints.

[Old Style]

While owning 20% of CSN Chicago helps their bottom line, it is killing interest for Cub fans outside of the Chicagoland area.

 

It is a different time and place from when WGN helped them draw in a nationwide audience. Exposure in a starved market is how they capitalized on that issue. But that era is over. Keeping them on WGN isn't just a hit to the short-term bottom line, it's bad for long-term business. The nationwide presence is there. And it's not going anywhere, unless they just lose every season.

 

 

Would anybody actually watch WGN if it weren't for the Cubs?

 

Bulls. And for the godforsaken of the world, Blackhawks.

 

Those aren't on the superstation though, right ? Just local WGN Channel 9?

Some of the Bulls games are on WGN America, as they call it. None of the Hawks games are. About the only other time I turn on WGN is to catch some Cheers or Entourage (yeah, yeah, I know you think it sucks) re-runs.

[UK1679666180]

I think it'll be stadium related as there is news of an agreement with the city and the Cubs to allocate 200 million of public money towards the stadium. I think it'll include what that will be allocated towards.

[Brett]

Has anybody else reported on this supposed address?

 

Nope. Just Levine.