Bears vs. Seahawks airs on Channel 26 instead of ABC 7 Monday
An episode of 'Dancing With the Stars' pushes the Bears' over-the-air broadcast to WCIU-Channel 26.
By Vincent Parker ·
Monday night's Bears-Seahawks game will not appear on ABC 7 in Chicago. Disney, which owns both ABC and ESPN, assigned the over-the-air broadcast to WCIU-Channel 26 instead. The reason: ABC 7 is airing an episode of 'Dancing With the Stars.' The NFL requires games shown on cable or streaming to be available over the air in the teams' local markets, and Channel 26 satisfies that rule.
The game itself starts at 7 p.m. on ESPN, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman calling the action at 7:15. A pregame show titled 'Monday Night Monsters' will air at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 26, produced by ABC 7 and hosted by Ryan Chiaverini and Dionne Miller. ESPN2 will carry an alternative broadcast, 'Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli,' featuring Peyton and Eli Manning; the program will announce its guests Monday. The Bears have not appeared on The U since Nov. 16, 2020, a Monday night game against the Vikings.
Chicago teams have been moved off ABC 7 before. On Sept. 17, 2019, the Cubs' game against the Reds shifted channels because 'Bachelor in Paradise' was airing its season finale. At the time, ABC 7 carried a package of Cubs games alongside NBC Sports Chicago and WGN 9.
This is the last of three straight standalone Bears games. Their next game is Nov. 8 at home against the Buccaneers, scheduled for NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' and expected to air on NBC 5 in Chicago.
