Ilitch Sports + Entertainment just landed a milestone broadcasting partnership with Major League Baseball. This deal will shake up how fans catch the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, starting with the 2026 MLB season for the Tigers and the 2026–27 NHL season for the Red Wings.
The agreement creates a unified platform for delivering games and related content across Michigan’s home television territories. Most importantly, fans will finally get the freedom to watch when and where they want.
Local-market access is sticking around through current options. Details about cable, satellite providers, and streaming will come later. The venture aims to steady a pretty chaotic regional sports-broadcasting scene and keep both teams on TV all year.
A landmark partnership reshapes Detroit’s broadcast landscape
With this pact, MLB will produce and distribute Tigers games. They’ll handle broadcast production, negotiate distribution, and run a direct-to-consumer streaming product.
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment will step in for Red Wings production after the 2025–26 NHL season. MLB will help out with the production process. The move comes as a response to instability in regional sports broadcasting. It’s all about making sure Tigers and Red Wings games stay easy to find.
What this means for Tigers fans
Tigers fans will see MLB anchor production and distribution, so the broadcast should look and feel consistent across the team’s territory. A new direct-to-consumer streaming option will launch alongside traditional telecasts. We’ll get more info on providers and subscriptions closer to launch.
The Tigers’ on-air talent isn’t going anywhere. That’s good news for viewers who rely on familiar voices.
What this means for Red Wings fans
Red Wings fans will see Ilitch Sports + Entertainment take over production in the 2026–27 season. MLB will still help with the transition. The booth stays familiar—Detroit’s broadcasts have always leaned on a trusted tandem, and the plan is to keep that going for fans.
Production teams and on-air talent: continuity you can trust
Detroit’s baseball booth—play-by-play voices Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson with analysts Andy Dirks and Dan Petry—are expected back for 2026. The Red Wings’ duo, Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond, have earned high marks two seasons running. They’re set to remain the heart of Wings telecasts.
The partnership really leans on keeping these familiar voices. It’s about trust and keeping the teams’ cultures alive on air.
Platform access, distribution, and fan experience
The new platform is built to make games more accessible for fans in Michigan and beyond. You’ll be able to watch games and related content wherever and whenever, whether you’re old school or all about streaming.
The plan combines traditional local-market options with a solid streaming product. Cord-cutters and digital-first viewers should finally feel included.
FanDuel Sports Network will keep covering the Red Wings through this season. More details for 2026–27 are coming.
- Unified distribution across TV, streaming, and digital channels in the home market
- Direct-to-consumer streaming powered by MLB’s platform and ISE’s local smarts
- Continued access for cable/satellite customers—stay tuned for specifics
Market context and fan engagement: why now
This deal comes as regional sports productions scramble to keep up with changing viewership and streaming habits. The Tigers have seen real growth in 2025, which just shows how much fans want reliable, easy access to games.
Just look at the numbers:
– Per-game streamers for the Tigers jumped by 121%.
– Per-game household impressions climbed by 101%.
That kind of momentum makes it clear why MLB’s taking a hands-on approach and why ISE is all in on a steady, year-round viewing experience. As the Red Wings’ season rolls on with FanDuel Sports Network, teams and fans can expect more updates about what’s coming for 2026–27.
What to watch for next season
As details keep trickling in, keep an eye out for announcements on a few key things.
– Which providers will actually carry the Tigers’ and Red Wings’ new broadcasting platforms
– When, exactly, the direct-to-consumer options will launch
– Updates about the on-air teams and any new broadcasting features
This partnership shakes up how Detroit’s two flagship franchises reach fans. MLB brings serious production and distribution muscle, while Ilitch Sports + Entertainment really knows the local scene.
Fans should get clearer, more reliable access to Tigers and Red Wings games. It’s about time for a viewing experience that actually feels consistent across Michigan.
Here is the source article for this story: Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings enter broadcast partnership with Major League Baseball
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