Few relationships in local television have been as enduring as that of the Chicago Cubs and WGN, Chicago’s CW affiliate. WGN aired its first regular season Cubs game back in 1948, and the two iconic Chicago brands have been together ever since. But now, there’s talk this weekend’s games on WGN could be the last, as the Chicago Tribune reports:
With one week left in the season, and its expiring agreement with WGN-Ch. 9, the team has yet to announce broadcast plans for 2015 and beyond. Sources say the Cubs are exploring everything from a private equity partnership to a new regional sports network, but a long-term deal may not be imminent.
History aside, the finances had not been happy for the partnership of WGN and the Cubs, with TV viewership way down–the station losing an estimated $200,000 per game, according to the Tribune.