DETROIT - Ilitch Sports + Entertainment has entered a partnership with Major League Baseball to provide broadcast support for the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. The agreement will begin with the 2026 MLB season and the 2026-27 NHL season.
The partnership establishes a new platform for fans within the teams’ home television territories, including all of Michigan, to access games and other content. Fans will be able to watch Tigers and Red Wings games through cable, satellite, and direct-to-consumer streaming options similar to those recently available.
Major League Baseball will take over the production and distribution of Detroit Tigers games starting in 2026. This role includes leading broadcast production, negotiating distribution agreements, and operating a direct-to-consumer streaming product. The Tigers’ on-air broadcast team, featuring play-by-play announcers Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson along with analysts Andy Dirks and Dan Petry, is expected to return for the 2026 season.
The new agreement follows a period of significant viewership growth for the Tigers during the 2025 season. Per-game streamers increased by 121%, while household impressions grew by 101%. According to team data, only five U.S.-based teams recorded higher per-game viewership last season, and only two teams had a higher average rating.
The Red Wings will transition into the partnership following the conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL season. Ilitch Sports + Entertainment will assume broadcast production duties for the team, while Major League Baseball assists with production processes. Red Wings coverage is expected to continue on FanDuel Sports Network through the end of the current season.
Broadcasters Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond are expected to continue leading Red Wings telecasts. The pair was voted the top NHL broadcast team in back-to-back seasons in The Athletic’s annual fan survey. Planning for future production will take place once the 2025-26 season concludes.
Ryan Gustafson, the president and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, noted that the move is intended to provide fans with stability. “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,” Gustafson said. He added that the clubs remain focused on making games available throughout the market and providing a reliable streaming product.
Information regarding specific cable and satellite providers and direct-to-consumer streaming subscriptions will be communicated at a later date. Additional details regarding the 2026-27 Red Wings season will be announced when they become available.