Detroit SportsNet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Detroit SportsNet is a part-time regional sports network owned by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment in partnership with MLB Local Media. Launched prior to the start of the 2026 Detroit Tigers season, it is the new broadcaster of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, replacing FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, providing continued continuity for the two teams on pay television dating back to the launch of the forerunning Pro-Am Sports System channel in 1984.
In January 2026, Main Street Sports Group's nine remaining regional contracts with MLB teams were terminated due to missed payments, amid financial issues and failed offers to sell the company to DAZN. This impacted the Detroit Tigers, whose regional broadcasts were carried by FanDuel Sports Network Detroit.[1][2][3] Pending further developments, it was projected that FanDuel Sports Network might cease operations entirely following the conclusion of the 2025–26 NBA and NHL seasons, which also impacted the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings.[4] On February 2, 2026, it was reported that at least six of the teams moved their regional broadcasts to MLB's in-house MLB Local Media unit.[4][5]
On February 9, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, which owns both the Tigers and Red Wings, announced that both teams moved to MLB Local Media in the 2026 and 2026–27 seasons, respectively, with games available via a direct-to-consumer streaming package and partnerships with local television providers. The Red Wings became the first non-MLB team to be served by MLB Local Media; unlike the Tigers' broadcasts, it was announced that the Red Wings games would be produced in-house by the team, but with MLB Local Media providing production and distribution support.[6]
On March 2, a new platform known as Detroit SportsNet was announced, which featured a joint subscription service covering the Tigers on MLB.tv and the Red Wings on a yet-to-be-determined platform, as well as a linear television channel. MLB negotiated with local television providers to carry the new channel.[7][8]
While not operating as a full 24-hour channel, it airs some ancillary programming such as game replays, and pregame and postgame shows for both teams.[8] Detroit SportsNet is unique among MLB Local Media's operations by having multiple teams on a branded channel, rather than being a single team "quietly fold[ed] into the league's generic product".[9]
See also
- Similar part-time sports networks in the United States including:
References
- ↑ Friend, Tom (December 21, 2025). "Sources: Main Street misses Cardinals payment, will shutter if it cannot sell to DAZN". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on December 21, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ↑ Friend, Tom (January 8, 2026). "Sources: Main Street hints at talks with second bidder". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on March 11, 2026. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ↑ Drellich, Evan (January 8, 2026). "All nine MLB teams cancel their contracts with FanDuel Sports Network". The Athletic. Archived from the original on January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- 1 2 Friend, Tom (February 2, 2026). "All nine MLB teams officially leaving Main Street; NBA and NHL in holding pattern". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on March 4, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
- ↑ Gonzalez, Alden (February 2, 2026). "Six teams leave regional sports network Main Street to join MLB". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 25, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ↑ Friend, Tom (February 9, 2026). "Tigers, Red Wings broadcasts heading to MLB Media in rare crossover partnership". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on February 26, 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ↑ Petzold, Evan; St. James, Helene (March 2, 2026). "Detroit Tigers, Red Wings TV update: Detroit SportsNet is new home". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- 1 2 Mazzeo, Mike (March 2, 2026). "Ilitch launches Detroit SportsNet for Tigers, Red Wings local broadcasts". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on March 11, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ↑ Neumann, Sam (March 3, 2026). "Ilitch Sports + Entertainment launches Detroit SportsNet for Tigers, Red Wings local broadcasts". Awful Announcing. Archived from the original on March 6, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
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