Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announced a first-of-its-kind broadcast partnership with Major League Baseball that will reshape how fans watch both the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings beginning in 2026.
The goal: stability, accessibility, and a modern streaming experience during a time when regional sports networks remain in flux.
What This Means for Fans
Tigers and Red Wings games will continue to be available throughout Michigan and the teams’ home television territory, with fans able to watch through traditional cable or satellite packages as well as direct-to-consumer streaming options, while specific providers and subscription details will be announced at a later date.
Nationally televised games will still air separately, as usual, like Apple, or NBC, but the overarching takeaway is clear: games remain accessible, and streaming reliability is expected to improve long term.In short: games stay available, and streaming becomes more reliable long-term.
Detroit Tigers: MLB Takes Over Production in 2026
Starting with the 2026 MLB season, Major League Baseball will:
- Produce and distribute Tigers broadcasts
- Negotiate distribution agreements
- Operate the direct-to-consumer streaming platform
Broadcast Booth Stability
TThe Tigers’ broadcast team, widely regarded as one of the strongest in baseball, is expected to return intact, with Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson continuing in the play-by-play roles alongside analysts Andy Dirks and Dan Petry, preserving continuity and a familiar sound for fans heading into the 2026 season.he Tigers’ broadcast team—widely regarded as one of the best in baseball—is expected to return intact:
Why This Move Makes Sense
The Tigers are coming off a massive viewership surge in 2025:
That growth underscored why the move made sense: Detroit saw a 121% increase in per-game streamers and a 101% jump in per-game household impressions, finishing top-five in MLB for per-game U.S. viewership and top-three in average rating, momentum that this new partnership is designed to stabilize and build on moving forward.
This partnership locks in that momentum.
Detroit Red Wings: Transition After 2025-26 Season
The Red Wings will join the partnership beginning with the 2026-27 NHL season.
- Ilitch Sports + Entertainment will handle broadcast production
- MLB will assist with production processes
- Red Wings games will remain on FanDuel Sports Network through the end of the 2025-26 season
- More details for 2026-27 will be announced later
Booth Continuity
One thing fans won’t lose: the voices.
Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond, voted the NHL’s top broadcast duo in back-to-back seasons (2024-25, via The Athletic), are expected to continue leading Red Wings telecasts for years to come.
The Big Picture
With uncertainty across regional sports broadcasting, this partnership gives Detroit fans something rare right now: clarity.
- Games stay local
- Streaming improves
- Broadcast quality remains elite
- Long-term stability for both franchises
For Tigers and Red Wings fans, this isn’t just a media deal; it’s a signal that access and consistency are finally being prioritized.
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