Weigel’s The U lands on Fubo

The deal also includes Weigel’s multicast networks including MeTV

As first reported by The Desk Thursday evening, Weigel Broadcasting independent WCIU (branded as The U) will be made available to Chicago-area Fubo subscribers soon. The deal also includes Weigel’s suite of multicast networks, including MeTV and the year-old MeTV Toons, which is arriving on DirecTV Monday. The networks are widely available on the digital subchannels of numerous over-the-air channels.

“Weigel is excited to add our entertainment networks and Chicago’s WCIU, The U to the Fubo platform,” said Jim Hall, Weigel’s vice president of business development. “Giving viewers access to our programming, alongside the popular sports and general entertainment content that Fubo is well known for, is a win-win for their subscribers, our viewers and both our companies.”

“In partnership with Weigel Broadcasting, we are thrilled to bring Fubo subscribers even more entertainment programming, including some of the most-loved TV shows and movies of all time,” said Fubo’s Todd Mathers, who is the company’s executive vice president of content strategy and acquisition. “Our subscribers in Chicago can also follow the Sky’s pursuit of a second WNBA championship this season, as well as local news and entertainment content, with the addition of WCIU, The U to their channel lineup.”

Securing carriage on Fubo is a victory for WCIU, which struck a deal earlier this year to carry all non-network Chicago Sky games, coming nearly a year after losing its CW affiliation back to WGN-TV. The U also carried IHSA basketball and football, including the state championships, but those rights are up for renewal, and regional sports networks Marquee and CHSN have reportedly shown interest. The U’s entertainment programming consists of Hot Bench, Judge Judy, The Flip Side, Modern Family, and The Conners. 

Fubo is the fourth virtual provider Weigel’s multicast networks have landed a deal with, as they are already streaming on low-cost platforms Philo and Frndly TV with MeTV, MeTV Toons, and H&I streaming (and available via satellite) on DirecTV. 

The U’s arrival on Fubo means Chicago’s eight of nine major local stations are available on the virtual provider, with Univision’s WGBO the lone exception. Fubo also carries Marquee and CHSN. Fubo still lacks a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s networks, including sports-heavy TNT and TBS.