FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 24th, 2016

COMCAST SPORTSNET ANNOUNCES ITS 2016 CHICAGO CUBS ON-AIR/DIGITAL COVERAGE DETAILS

86 Game Regular Season Schedule begins April 5, 9:00 PM at the LA Angels on CSN+ featuring Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies with the call all season long!

Plus – Exclusive Cubs content 24/7 on CSNChicago.com, Every Home and Road Game in HD, “Crosstown Cup” action vs. White Sox and much more!

Chicago, IL (March 24, 2016) – Comcast SportsNet — the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of 2016 Chicago Cubs featuring  National League “Rookie of the Year” Kris Bryant (26 HRs, 99 RBI), National League “Cy Young Award” winner Jake Arrieta (22-6, 1.77 ERA w/236 K’s), National League “Manager of the Year” Joe Maddon (led Cubs to 97 wins/NLCS appearance), two-time NL All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo (63 HRs, 179 RBI over the past two seasons), veteran starter Jon Lester (3.34 ERA over 32 starts last year), rookie sensations Kyle Schwarber & Addison Russell, newcomers Jason Heyward (winner of three NL Gold Gloves; 23 stolen bases in ‘15), second baseman Brent Zobrist (two-time AL All-Star), and John Lackey (2.77 ERA & tied for NL lead w/33 starts last year), along the return of veteran outfielder Dexter Fowler and young stars Jorge Soler & Javier Baez among others — has announced its upcoming Cubs telecast schedule and accompanying on-air network coverage and digital coverage on CSNChicago.com.  Comcast SportsNet’s season-long coverage of the 2016 Chicago Cubs is presented by State Farm.

The 2016 Cubs season on Comcast SportsNet includes 86 live regular season games with the first telecast taking place on Tuesday, April 5 at 9:00 PM CT on CSN+, as the Cubs travel to face the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim featuring the popular Cubs announcing tandem of Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies with the game call.  (NOTE: Viewers are urged to visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER page for the exact CSN+ channel location in their area).  Coverage gets underway on Cubs Pregame Live presented by Fields Auto Group beginning at 8:30 PM with host David Kaplan and studio analyst Todd Hollandsworth, along with CSN’s Cubs beat reporter Kelly Crull providing live reports from Anaheim.  The game will be immediately followed by an expanded edition of Cubs Postgame Live presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.

Comcast SportsNet’s first home Cubs telecast of the 2016 campaign will take place on Wednesday, April 13 on CSN+, as the Cubs host the division rival Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field (pre-game coverage begins with Cubs Pregame Live presented by Fields Auto Group at 6:30 PM; first pitch is set for 7:00 PM).

In-game highlights of note for the 2016 Cubs season include a brand new NBC Sports graphics package, along with the return of CSN’s popular super slo-mo technology, which is capable of showing slow-motion replays of over 2,000 frames per second.  In addition, fans can once again look forward to “Pitch Trax” in all games this season, which animates the precise pitch location throughout the game in a variety of angles, along with CSN’s “Telestrator” in select game telecasts this season, detailing key plays, defensive field formations and much more.  Plus, viewers will once again get an in-depth look at MLB’s instant-replay system, which, upon a manager’s challenge, will review home runs, ground rule doubles, fan interference, along with numerous other in-game scenarios.

Among the 2016 Cubs regular season schedule highlights on Comcast SportsNet — featuring 49 weeknight primetime starts — include 42 NL Central battles highlighted by games against the three-time defending division champion St. Louis Cardinals (10 games), ’15 NL Wildcard Game opponent Pittsburgh Pirates (10 games), I-90 rival Milwaukee Brewers (11 games), along with the Cincinnati Reds (11 games).  In addition, viewers can look forward to three games against ’15 NLCS opponent/defending National League champion New York Mets, three games against the two-time defending NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers, four games against NL MVP Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals, plus – an expanded interleague schedule including games against AL West foes LA Angels, Houston, Seattle and Oakland.  ALSO — Comcast SportsNet will carry all four Cubs-White Sox “Crosstown Cup” interleague games this year (NOTE: the July 26 & 28 “Crosstown” games will be “Cubs” telecasts on Comcast SportsNet, while the July 25 & 27 games will be “White Sox” telecasts).

For the fourth-straight season, Cubs play-by-play man Len Kasper and former MLB pitcher/veteran game analyst Jim Deshaies join forces for every Cubs telecast on CSN.  Plus, Comcast SportsNet’s David Kaplan will be joined by former Cubs/MLB standout Todd Hollandsworth before and after the majority of Comcast SportsNet Cubs telecasts on Cubs Pregame Live presented by Fields Auto Group and Cubs Postgame Live presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.

From an online perspective, Comcast SportsNet’s website, CSNChicago.com, delivers comprehensive 24/7 Cubs coverage all season long, including the following highlights:

  • Live stream of Cubs manager Joe Maddon’s post-game press conferences (sponsored by Xfinity) following every home game.
  • Cubs “Insider” Patrick Mooney returns for his seventh season on the beat. Follow him on Twitter @CSNMooney for the latest team/player news and inside access 24/7.  Mooney will also file daily stories/video reports and will make regular on-air appearances throughout the season on Cubs Pregame Live presented by Fields Auto Group, SportsTalk Live, SportsNet Central and in select Comcast SportsNet Cubs home games.
  • Cubs Pre/Postgame Live host David Kaplan will once again offer on-going reports and insight via his popular “The Kapman” posts, which will include exclusive video content.  Kaplan can also be followed on Twitter 24/7 @thekapman, for up-to-the-second Cubs news.
  • “Cubs Pulse,” a one-stop social media hub that reveals the latest trending topics and player buzz from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Plus, “Cubs Pulse” aggregates all Cubs player tweets, along with fan tweets that utilize the hashtag #CubsTalk. Fans can also get interactive on Twitter by utilizing hashtags #CubsTalk for the latest news, rumors, trades and more by following @CSNCubs.
  • CSNChicago.com digital baseball reporters Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) and JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) will also be providing game day reports, analysis and features.
  • In addition to his on-air duties, Kaplan will partner with Mooney and CSN’s Cubs beat reporter Kelly Crull (@Kelly_Crull) this season on CSNChicago.com, providing multi-platform coverage via on-going special features and more.
  • CubsTalk, CSNChicago.com’s high-velocity, real-time, comprehensive Cubs news and opinion section featuring original commentary, reporting and aggregation. CubsTalk is under the banner of NBC SportsTalk, NBC’s successful digital franchise on NBCSports.com that includes ProFootballTalk, HardballTalk, ProBaskteballTalk, ProHockeyTalk, CollegeFootballTalk and GolfTalkCentral. SportsTalk was extended to CSNChicago.com through the creation of BlackhawksTalk, BullsTalk, CubsTalk, WhiteSoxTalk, ChiFireTalk, BearsTalk, PrepsTalk, IrishTalk and B1GTalk which contains interactive content and continually updated insights from the network’s digital and on-air talent.
  • “The Honda Road Ahead,” presented by the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Honda Dealers, will provide fans with an expanded look at upcoming Cubs opponents and key pitching match-ups.
  • CSN Chicago’s Cubs content will also be distributed via its digital network of partnerships including NBCSports.com, NBCNews.com, Yahoo! Sports and Xfinity.com.

 

For the ninth-straight season, Comcast SportsNet will produce every Cubs regular season home and road game in a high-definition (HD) format.   In addition, ten Cubs games are currently scheduled to be telecast on Comcast SportsNet Plus (see attached schedule).  Comcast SportsNet Plus (CSN+) telecasts are provided to Comcast SportsNet affiliates and distributed to viewers when two live events are scheduled simultaneously.  CSN+ is available in high-definition on Comcast/Xfinity ch. 201 in the Chicago area/South Bend, IN & on Comcast/Xfinity ch. 285 in the Peoria, Springfield, Rockford and Champaign markets, along with being made available in DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-verse, RCN, and WOW! homes among others; viewers are urged to visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for complete channel location details). Comcast Cable and RCN subscribers can also watch all CSN+ games in standard definition on CLTV.

Before a number of Cubs games on Comcast SportsNet (including all weekend telecasts), fans can tune to Cubs Pregame Live presented by Fields Auto Group featuring a half-hour of pre-game analysis, interviews and the very latest Cubs news (NOTE: for weeknight 7:00 PM game start times or earlier, pre-game coverage can be found SportsTalk Live presented by The Chevy Silverado featuring host David Kaplan or SportsNet Central presented by Comcast Business).  Following the majority of all games, viewers can look forward to the most comprehensive post-game wrap-up show on Cubs Postgame Live presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois featuring live coverage of Cubs manager Joe Maddon’s post-game press conferences and live locker room interviews with Cubs players.  Following primetime editions of Cubs Postgame Live, Comcast SportsNet will air GMC SportsNet Central with the most complete recap of the day’s top local and national sports news.

Comcast SportsNet
2016 Chicago Cubs Schedule

Regular Season: (every game available in HD)

  1. Tue, Apr 5                  9:00 pm            @ Los Angeles Angels            CSN+
  2. Thu, Apr 7                  8:30 pm            @ Arizona                               CSN+
  3. Sat, Apr 9                   7:00 pm            @ Arizona
  4. Wed, Apr 13               7:00 pm            vs. Cincinnati                           CSN+
  5. Thu, Apr 14                7:00 pm            vs. Cincinnati
  6. Fri, Apr 15                  1:20 pm            vs. Colorado
  7. Sat, Apr 16                 1:20 pm            vs. Colorado
  8. Tue, Apr 19                7:00 pm            @ St. Louis
  9. Wed, Apr 20               12:30 pm          @ St. Louis
  10. Thu, Apr 21                6:00 pm            @ Cincinnati
  11. Sat, Apr 23                 6:00 pm            @ Cincinnati
  12. Tue, Apr 26                7:00 pm            vs. Milwaukee
  13. Thu, Apr 28                1:20 pm            vs. Milwaukee
  14. Fri, Apr 29                  1:20 pm            vs. Atlanta
  15. Mon, May 2                6:00 pm            @ Pittsburgh
  16. Wed, May 4               11:30 am          @ Pittsburgh
  17. Thu, May 5                 7:00 pm            vs. Washington                       CSN+
  18. Fri, May 6                   1:20 pm            vs. Washington
  19. Sat, May 7                 3:00 pm            vs. Washington
  20. Mon, May 9                7:00 pm            vs. San Diego
  21. Wed, May 11             7:00 pm            vs. San Diego
  22. Sun, May 15              1:20 pm            vs. Pittsburgh
  23. Tue, May 17               7:00 pm            @ Milwaukee
  24. Thu, May 19               12:30 pm          @ Milwaukee
  25. Mon, May 23              7:00 pm            @ St. Louis
  26. Tue, May 24               7:00 pm            @ St. Louis
  27. Fri, May 27                 1:20 pm            vs. Philadelphia
  28. Wed, June 1              7:00 pm            vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
  29. Thu, June 2                1:20 pm            vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
  30. Fri, June 3                  1:20 pm            vs. Arizona
  31. Sun, June 5               1:20 pm            vs. Arizona
  32. Mon, June 6               6:00 pm            @ Philadelphia
  33. Wed, June 8              12:00 pm          @ Philadelphia
  34. Fri, June 10                6:30 pm            @ Atlanta
  35. Sat, June 11              3:00 pm            @ Atlanta
  36. Mon, June 13             6:00 pm            @ Washington
  37. Sun, June 19             1:20 pm            vs. Pittsburgh
  38. Mon, June 20             7:00 pm            vs. St. Louis
  39. Thu, June 23              6:00 pm            @ Miami
  40. Fri, June 24                6:00 pm            @ Miami
  41. Tue, June 28              6:00 pm            @ Cincinnati
  42. Thu, June 30              6:00 pm            @ New York Mets
  43. Tue, July 5                 1:20 pm            vs. Cincinnati
  44. Wed, July 6                1:20 pm            vs. Cincinnati
  45. Fri, July 8                   6:00 pm            @ Pittsburgh
  46. Fri, July 15                 1:20 pm            vs. Texas
  47. Tue, July  19              7:00 pm            vs. New York Mets
  48. Fri, July 22                 7:00 pm            @ Milwaukee                          CSN+
  49. Tue, July 26               7:00 pm            @ White Sox
  50. Thu, July 28               7:00 pm            vs. White Sox
  51. Fri, July 29                 1:20 pm            vs. Seattle
  52. Sat, July 30                1:20 pm            vs. Seattle
  53. Sun, July 31               1:20 pm            vs. Seattle
  54. Tue, Aug 2                 7:00 pm            vs. Miami                                 CSN+
  55. Wed, Aug 3                1:20 pm            vs. Miami
  56. Fri, Aug 5                   9:00 pm            @ Oakland                              CSN+
  57. Sat, Aug 6                  3:00 pm            @ Oakland
  58. Wed, Aug 10              7:00 pm            vs. Los Angeles Angels           CSN+
  59. Thu, Aug 11               7:00 pm            vs. St. Louis
  60. Sun, Aug 14               1:20 pm            vs. St. Louis
  61. Wed, Aug 17              7:00 pm            vs. Milwaukee
  62. Thu, Aug 18               1:20 pm            vs. Milwaukee
  63. Fri, Aug 19                 7:30 pm            @ Colorado
  64. Sat, Aug 20                7:00 pm            @ Colorado
  65. Mon, Aug 22              9:00 pm            @ San Diego
  66. Tue, Aug 23               9:00 pm            @ San Diego
  67. Sun, Aug 28               3:00 pm            @ Los Angeles Dodgers
  68. Mon, Aug 29              7:00 pm            vs. Pittsburgh
  69. Wed, Aug 31              7:00 pm            vs. Pittsburgh
  70. Thu, Sept 1                7:00 pm            vs. San Francisco                   CSN+
  71. Sat, Sept 3                 1:20 pm            vs. San Francisco
  72. Tue, Sept 6                7:00 pm            @ Milwaukee                          CSN+
  73. Wed, Sept 7               7:00 pm            @ Milwaukee
  74. Sun, Sept 11              1:00 pm            @ Houston
  75. Mon, Sept 12             7:00 pm            @ St. Louis
  76. Thu, Sept 15              7:00 pm            vs. Milwaukee
  77. Fri, Sept 16                1:20 pm            vs. Milwaukee
  78. Mon, Sept 19             7:00 pm            vs. Cincinnati
  79. Tue, Sept 20              7:00 pm            vs. Cincinnati
  80. Sat, Sept 24               1:20 pm            vs. St. Louis
  81. Sun, Sept 25              1:20 pm            vs. St. Louis
  82. Mon, Sept 26             6:00 pm            @ Pittsburgh
  83. Tue, Sept 27              6:00 pm            @ Pittsburgh
  84. Wed, Sept 28             6:00 pm            @ Pittsburgh
  85. Fri, Sept 30                6:00 pm            @ Cincinnati
  86. Sat, Oct 1                   3:00 pm            @ Cincinnati

 

86 Regular Season Games – 45 home, 41 away
Schedule Subject to Change
All Times Central Time 

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