DETROIT, Feb. 9, 2026 – In a significant shift for local sports broadcasting, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings will move their television broadcasts to MLB Media, beginning with the 2026 baseball season and the 2026-27 hockey season. The move, announced Monday by Ilitch Sports and Entertainment (IS+E), marks a “first of its kind partnership” and signals a broader trend of teams taking more control of their media rights.
A League of Its Own: Tigers and Red Wings Embrace New Broadcast Model
This change comes as more teams seek stability in a volatile regional sports network landscape.
- MLB Media will produce, broadcast, and distribute Tigers games starting in 2026.
- Red Wings broadcasts will follow in the 2026-27 season.
- The move follows a wider exodus from Main Street Sports Group’s FanDuel Sports Network.
- IS+E aims to provide consistent access to games via streaming and traditional cable/satellite options.
The decision follows a report by Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal on Feb. 2, detailing the Tigers’ impending move to MLB Media. This came as nine MLB teams under the FanDuel Sports Network umbrella decided to end their contracts with Main Street Sports Group, the network’s operator. Fans will be able to access Tigers and Red Wings games through direct-to-consumer streaming subscriptions and existing cable and satellite packages, though specific details are forthcoming.
“Given recent uncertainty throughout the regional sports broadcasting industry, we recognize the importance of providing fans with a consistent, year-round outlet to watch Tigers baseball and Red Wings hockey,” IS+E president Ryan Gustafson said in a statement.
MLB Media now controls the broadcasting rights for 14 MLB teams, including the Tigers, Cleveland Guardians, and Minnesota Twins. The shift comes amid financial difficulties for Main Street, which has reportedly missed payments to NBA partners as well. The Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves, also previously partnered with Main Street, are even considering launching their own regional networks, according to SBJ.
Despite the change in broadcast control, familiar voices will remain. IS+E announced that Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson will likely return as the Tigers’ play-by-play commentators, with Andy Dirks and Dan Petry continuing in their color commentary roles for the 2026 season. For the Red Wings, broadcasting legends Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond are also expected to continue their duties under the new partnership.
“We have two of the top-rated broadcasts in our respective sports and remain focused on listening to fans about what matters most to them,” Gustafson added. “What we’ve heard includes making sure our games are available throughout the market, providing a reliable streaming product, and producing a broadcast that’s informative and entertaining in all the right ways.”
While the Tigers haven’t yet revealed pricing or app details for the 2026 season, they plan to offer a single subscription for year-round access to team broadcasts. Red Wings games will continue to be shown on FanDuel Sports Network through the end of the 2025-26 regular season.
