Detroit Tigers' Opening Day on New Detroit SportsNet

Fans face changes as teams take control of broadcast rights

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:11pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Detroit Tigers baseball game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, orange, and white, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport in an abstract, conceptual style.The launch of Detroit SportsNet signals a new era of team-controlled sports broadcasting, with fans navigating a more complex but customizable viewing experience.Today in Detroit

The Detroit Tigers and Red Wings are launching their own regional sports network, Detroit SportsNet, ahead of the 2026 MLB and NHL seasons. This move away from the FanDuel Sports Network raises questions about cable availability, streaming options, and fan accessibility on Opening Day and beyond.

Why it matters

The creation of Detroit SportsNet is a strategic response by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment to the bankruptcy concerns of FanDuel. It reflects a broader trend of sports teams taking more control over their media rights and distribution, which could lead to a more fragmented viewing experience for fans but also more customization.

The details

Detroit SportsNet is expected to be available on most of the same cable providers that previously carried FanDuel, but the timing of these deals is tight, leaving some uncertainty leading up to Opening Day. Fans will also need to subscribe separately to Detroit SportsNet, rather than having it bundled with their existing cable package. The streaming landscape is also in flux, with the Tigers embracing the MLB app but the Red Wings' streaming future still to be announced.

  • The 2026 MLB Opening Day is fast approaching.
  • Detroit SportsNet is set to launch ahead of the 2026 MLB and NHL seasons.

The players

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment

The parent company of the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings, launching the new Detroit SportsNet regional sports network.

Ben Fidelman

VP of Communications and Broadcasting for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, overseeing the launch of Detroit SportsNet.

Ken Daniels

Longstanding play-by-play broadcaster for the Detroit Red Wings.

Mickey Redmond

Longstanding color commentator for the Detroit Red Wings.

Jason Benetti

Play-by-play broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers.

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What they’re saying

“The new channel is expected to be available on most, if not all, of the same cable providers that carried FanDuel.”

— Ben Fidelman, VP of Communications and Broadcasting, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment

What’s next

Fans will need to confirm cable availability and subscribe to Detroit SportsNet ahead of the 2026 MLB and NHL seasons.

The takeaway

The launch of Detroit SportsNet represents a shift in the sports media landscape, with teams taking more control over their broadcast rights and distribution. While this could lead to a more fragmented viewing experience for fans, it also offers greater customization and potentially better long-term stability for the teams.