{"id":2354,"date":"2026-03-04T05:41:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T05:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/?p=2354"},"modified":"2026-03-04T05:41:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T05:41:02","slug":"detroit-tigers-and-red-wings-have-a-brand-new-tv-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/sports-media\/detroit-tigers-and-red-wings-have-a-brand-new-tv-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Detroit Tigers and Red Wings Have a Brand-New TV Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
In a move set to reshape the sports viewing landscape in the Motor City, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment has unveiled Detroit SportsNet, the fresh regional sports network poised to become the primary broadcast hub for two of Detroit’s most beloved franchises: the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Introducing Detroit SportsNet<\/h2>\n
Announced amid a backdrop of shifting media dynamics in professional sports, this new platform promises enhanced accessibility for fans, particularly through streaming options, while navigating the complexities of traditional cable and satellite distribution. As the 2026 MLB season kicks off and the NHL’s 2026-27 campaign looms, Detroit SportsNet represents a strategic pivot toward direct-to-consumer models, reflecting broader industry trends away from beleaguered regional sports networks like the former FanDuel Sports Network entities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The launch comes at a pivotal time for the Tigers, who are among 14 MLB teams that have partnered with the league to have their games produced and distributed centrally. This collaboration allows MLB to handle the heavy lifting on production, ensuring high-quality broadcasts while Ilitch Sports + Entertainment focuses on local flavor and fan engagement. For Tigers fans, the transition is immediate: Detroit SportsNet will serve as the broadcast home starting this season. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The familiar voices of the Tigers’ television team\u2014play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti, analyst Dan Dickerson, and color commentators Andy Dirks and Dan Petry\u2014are all returning, providing continuity amid the change. This stability is crucial following a banner 2025 season that shattered viewership records for the team. Per-game streamers surged by 121%, while household impressions jumped 101%. Remarkably, only five U.S.-based MLB teams boasted higher per-game viewership, and just two had superior average ratings, underscoring the Tigers’ resurgent popularity on the diamond.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
For the Red Wings, the shift is slightly delayed but no less significant. Games will continue airing on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit through the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season, though this arrangement hangs in the balance due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding Main Street Sports Group, the parent company of FanDuel’s regional networks. Come the 2026-27 season, Detroit SportsNet will take the reins, with Ilitch Sports + Entertainment overseeing broadcast production and receiving assistance from MLB’s expertise. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The iconic announcing duo of Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond is expected to remain at the helm, delighting fans with their signature calls for years ahead. As of the Olympic Break in the current season<\/a>, the Red Wings rank fifth in household ratings and are tied for third in household viewership among the 25 U.S.-based NHL teams, highlighting their strong draw in a competitive league.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

How to watch the Tigers and Red Wings<\/h3>\n
One of the standout features of Detroit SportsNet is its emphasis on streaming accessibility, addressing the cord-cutting trend that’s reshaping how fans consume sports. In-market subscriptions are already available, priced at $19.99 per month or $189.99 annually, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable packages. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
For Tigers games, streaming will be integrated through the MLB App, a versatile platform accessible on web, mobile, and connected TV devices. This app not only streams live games but also provides highlights, statistics, and league-wide news, making it a one-stop shop for baseball enthusiasts. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Details on incorporating Red Wings games into this ecosystem for the 2026-27 season will be released this summer, ensuring fans have ample time to prepare. However, the network won’t operate as a 24\/7 channel; instead, it will focus on game-day programming, including pregame and postgame shows that delve into analysis, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Notably absent from this new venture are the Detroit Pistons, whose broadcasts currently air on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit and thus face similar uncertainties tied to Main Street’s woes. The NBA is reportedly crafting its own local streaming rights package, potentially encompassing teams affected by the regional network shakeup. According to reports from Sports Business Journal<\/a>, the league has advised teams to steer clear of long-term deals with platforms like Main Street, signaling a proactive approach to securing stable broadcasting futures. This leaves Pistons fans in limbo, but it also opens the door for innovative solutions that could mirror the Tigers and Red Wings’ model.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
While cable and satellite distribution deals are still being finalized\u2014 with more announcements expected soon\u2014Detroit SportsNet’s launch signals optimism for Ilitch-owned teams. By leveraging MLB’s production capabilities and prioritizing direct streaming, the network aims to capitalize on the teams’ recent viewership gains and foster deeper fan connections. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In an era where sports media is increasingly fragmented, this initiative could set a blueprint for other markets grappling with similar transitions. For Detroit sports aficionados, the promise is clear: more ways to watch, fewer barriers, and a renewed focus on the action that unites the city. As the seasons unfold, Detroit SportsNet may well become synonymous with the heartbeat of Motor City sports.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a move set to reshape the sports viewing landscape in the Motor City, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment has unveiled Detroit SportsNet, the fresh regional sports network poised to become the primary broadcast hub for two of Detroit’s most beloved franchises: the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings. Introducing Detroit SportsNet Announced amid a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5665,"featured_media":2356,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[270,238],"tags":[75],"class_list":["post-2354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb-network","category-sports-media","tag-featured"],"modified_by":"Steve Carney","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5665"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2354"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2355,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2354\/revisions\/2355"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}