Chicago Bears |
We at Fox 59 know it is tough being a Bears fan in Colts Country.
Ultimately, Fox Sports and the NFL have control over which games are available for WXIN to show. Be assured, we are on record with Fox requesting the Chicago Bears as our first option team after our the Colts (BTW, the max number of Fox Colts games are 2 per season).
Here are the reasons as to why the Bears are not on WXIN on any given weekend
- Bears game is at the same time as the Colts home game. This is an NFL rule.
- AFC team is visiting Chicago means CBS televises the game. Send your comments to WISH-TV.
- Fox has a single header game and the Bears game time is the same as a Colts away game time. Fox has researched this extensively and it shows their audience will be greater if they run their one game on Fox 59, not against the Colts. Since Fox pays the NFL for the rights - it is their call.
- As per NFL rules, double-headers are only shown on one station each week (WXIN or WISH); Bears game takes place at 4 PM on week Fox does not have double-header weekend.
- A game that has unusual local interest. For example, if we had to choose an out-of-playoffs Bears game or undefeated Patriots versus Giants last year, we would probably go with the latter.
Again, WXIN will almost always choose the Bears when the option is available to us. To complain about scheduling, contact the NFL or Fox Sports.
