Tigers, Red Wings Set to Shift Broadcasts to MLB Media in 2026: What Fans Need to Know
Big changes are coming for Detroit sports fans tuning in from home. Starting with the 2026 MLB season, the Detroit Tigers will no longer appear on FanDuel Sports Network.
Instead, their games will be broadcast via MLB Media, marking a significant shift in how fans will watch their hometown team. The Detroit Red Wings will follow suit for the 2026-27 NHL season, making them the first NHL franchise to partner with MLB Media in this way.
So what does this all mean for fans? Let’s break it down.
Why the Switch?
The move away from FanDuel Sports Network stems from financial instability at Main Street Sports Group, which owns the regional FanDuel networks. Over the past two seasons, Main Street has struggled to meet its financial commitments, reportedly missing monthly payments to several of its partner teams.
That instability led nine MLB teams to cut ties with Main Street. Seven of those, including the Tigers, are now transitioning their media rights to MLB Media. While the Tigers initially held off on making the announcement, the delay was strategic-they were sorting out the logistics with the Red Wings, who share ownership under Ilitch Sports and Entertainment (IS+E) and were also under contract with Main Street.
What About the Red Wings?
The Red Wings will finish out the 2025-26 NHL season on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. After that, they’ll join the Tigers on MLB Media starting with the 2026-27 campaign. According to IS+E, this is a “first of its kind” partnership between an NHL team and MLB Media-a move that could open the door for more cross-league collaborations in the future.
Where Will Fans Watch the Games?
That’s still being finalized. IS+E has said games will be available via direct-to-consumer streaming subscriptions and through “the same options that have been recently available” on traditional cable and satellite packages. While the exact channel and platform details haven’t been released yet, the goal is to offer fans a one-stop-shop experience for watching Tigers and Red Wings games locally.
In other words, while the channel may change, the team is aiming to keep the viewing experience as seamless as possible.
How Much Will It Cost?
Pricing details are still under wraps, but there are some clues based on what other MLB Media-partnered teams have done. For instance, the Cleveland Guardians charged $100 for a full season of locally broadcast games through their direct-to-consumer service in 2025. That could be a ballpark figure for what Tigers fans might expect, though nothing official has been announced.
IS+E has indicated a desire to offer a single subscription that covers all Tigers games throughout the season. Whether that’s a standalone streaming app, a channel add-on, or a hybrid of both remains to be seen.
What About Spring Training?
That’s still a work in progress. Spring training kicks off on February 21, giving the Tigers a narrow window to finalize broadcasting plans for those early games. They’re not alone-several MLB teams are still ironing out spring training coverage.
Opening Day Details
The Tigers open their 2026 season on the road against the San Diego Padres on March 26. Comerica Park will host its home opener on April 3 when the St. Louis Cardinals come to town.
Familiar Voices Expected to Return
Even as the broadcast platform changes, the voices fans have come to know and love are expected to stick around. Play-by-play announcers Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson, along with color commentators Andy Dirks and Dan Petry, are all anticipated to return for the 2026 season.
On the Red Wings side, longtime broadcasters Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond are also expected to continue in their roles under the new MLB Media partnership.
IS+E president Ryan Gustafson emphasized the organization’s commitment to high-quality, fan-focused broadcasts: “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,” he said. That includes reliable streaming, wide market access, and broadcasts that strike the right balance between informative and entertaining.
And the Pistons?
While the Tigers and Red Wings are making the jump to MLB Media, the Detroit Pistons are staying put-for now. Main Street has stated it intends to honor its contracts with NBA and NHL teams through the 2025-26 season, which includes the Pistons. However, with reports that Main Street missed payments to NBA teams as recently as January, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Pistons start exploring other options for 2026-27.
One complicating factor: the Pistons aren’t owned by IS+E. They’re under the ownership of Tom Gores, meaning their media future may diverge from that of Detroit’s MLB and NHL franchises.
The Bottom Line
For Tigers and Red Wings fans, the shift to MLB Media represents a new era in local sports broadcasting. While there are still a few unanswered questions-particularly around pricing and platform availability-the move is rooted in a desire for more stability, better access, and a fan-first experience.
Stay tuned. More details are sure to come in the weeks ahead as the Tigers gear up for spring training and finalize their broadcast plans.