Where Chicago fans can watch Monday’s Bears-Seahawks game

Chicago Bears fans watching Monday night’s matchup with the Seattle Seahawks have an over-the-air option on WCIU-Channel 26, known as The U. ESPN will carry the game on cable, but Chicago’s ABC 7 will keep its scheduled episode of “Dancing With the Stars” rather than show the football broadcast.

The network made the decision about ABC 7’s programming. For local viewers who rely on broadcast television, the important detail is the channel: The U is the Chicago station carrying the game. The arrangement follows the NFL’s longstanding requirement that games carried on cable or streaming services also be available over the air in the participating teams’ home markets.

Coverage on The U starts at 6:30 p.m. with “Monday Night Monsters,” a pregame program produced by ABC 7 and hosted by Ryan Chiaverini and Dionne Miller. ESPN’s coverage begins at 7 p.m., followed by the scheduled 7:15 kickoff, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman handling the game commentary.

Fans who prefer a different presentation can turn to ESPN2 for “Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli.” The alternative broadcast features former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning. Its guest lineup is scheduled to be announced Monday.

The Bears have appeared on The U before, most recently for their Monday game against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 16, 2020. Another Chicago team used the same broadcast alternative on Sept. 17, 2019, when a Cubs-Reds game aired on The U while ABC 7 showed the season finale of “Bachelor in Paradise.” At that time, ABC 7 shared the Cubs’ television schedule with NBC Sports Chicago and WGN 9.

Monday’s game is part of a stretch of three consecutive standalone broadcasts for the Bears. That run concludes Nov. 8 with a home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” with NBC 5 serving Chicago viewers. For this Monday, however, fans planning to watch without cable should have Channel 26 ready.