Official: MLB Cubs Will Return To WGN-TV

The Cubs have announced a new five-year deal with WGN-TV to carry 45 games, completing the team's television broadcast schedule.

In December, the Cubs and WLS-TV/ABC 7 Chicago announced a partnership for television rights through 2019. The other Cubs games will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

WGN-TV has been the Cubs' television home since 1948, but the team opted out of an agreement after the 2014 season ended. Doing so made 70 games available, which now will be split between WGN-TV (45 games) and WLS-TV/ABC 7 (25 games).

The length of the contracts with WLS-TV/ABC 7 and WGN-TV are key, because the Cubs would like to get their broadcast and cable rights in sync after the 2019 season. At that time, the team could launch its own regional sports network.

WLS-TV/ABC 7 is expected to air most of the Cubs' weekend games.

Television broadcasters Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies will handle the broadcasts on all three stations.