Bears-Seahawks game Monday night will air in Chicago on ESPN, The U — not ABC 7

The Bears' game Monday night against the Seahawks will be available over the air in Chicago, but in an unusual place.

Though ESPN is broadcasting the game on cable, fellow Disney channel ABC 7 won't carry it because of an episode of "Dancing With the Stars." Instead, WCIU-Channel 26 will be the game's over-the-air home. The decision not to air the game on ABC's local affiliate was made by the network.

The NFL has a long-standing policy requiring games on cable or a streaming service to be available over the air in the teams’ local markets.

The Bears aren't the first Chicago team to get bumped from ABC 7 to The U. On Sept. 17, 2019, the Cubs' game against the Reds moved because of the season finale of "Bachelor in Paradise." At the time, ABC 7 aired a package of Cubs games along with NBC Sports Chicago and WGN 9.

The U will carry an ABC 7-produced pregame show, "Monday Night Monsters," at 6:30 p.m. hosted by Ryan Chiaverini and Dionne Miller. ESPN's broadcast will begin at 7, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman calling the game at 7:15

The Bears' run of three consecutive standalone games ends Nov. 8 at home against the Buccaneers on NBC's "Sunday Night Football." That game undoubtedly will air on NBC 5 in Chicago.