Detroit Tigers, Red Wings Enter Historic Broadcast Partnership with MLB

Fans in Michigan will continue accessing games through cable, satellite and streaming options.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 9:07pm

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Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announced a groundbreaking partnership with Major League Baseball that will handle broadcast production and distribution for both the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, marking the first arrangement of its kind in professional sports. The partnership begins with the Tigers' 2026 MLB season and extends to the Red Wings starting with the 2026-27 NHL season.

Why it matters

This partnership comes amid recent uncertainty in the regional sports broadcasting industry, ensuring fans in Michigan will have a consistent, year-round outlet to watch Tigers baseball and Red Wings hockey. The deal also follows significant viewership gains for the Tigers in 2025.

The details

Under the agreement, MLB will produce and distribute Tigers games, handling broadcast production, distribution agreements and direct-to-consumer streaming operations. For the Red Wings, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment will maintain production duties while MLB assists with production processes beginning after the 2025-26 season concludes.

  • The partnership begins with the Tigers' 2026 MLB season.
  • The partnership extends to the Red Wings starting with the 2026-27 NHL season.

The players

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment

The organization that announced the partnership with MLB.

Major League Baseball

The professional baseball league that is partnering with Ilitch Sports + Entertainment to handle broadcast production and distribution for the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings.

Ryan Gustafson

The President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment.

Jason Benetti

The play-by-play voice for the Detroit Tigers.

Dan Dickerson

The play-by-play voice for the Detroit Tigers.

Andy Dirks

The analyst for the Detroit Tigers.

Dan Petry

The analyst for the Detroit Tigers.

Ken Daniels

The play-by-play voice for the Detroit Red Wings.

Mickey Redmond

The analyst for the Detroit Red Wings.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Ryan Gustafson, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (wzzm13.com)

What’s next

Specific provider and subscription details for fans to access the games will be announced later.

The takeaway

This historic partnership ensures that fans in Michigan will continue to have access to watch their beloved Tigers and Red Wings teams, even as the regional sports broadcasting landscape faces uncertainty. The deal also positions the teams for continued viewership growth in the years ahead.