As the Detroit Tigers prepare for Opening Day, new details continue to emerge about how fans will watch games on the newly launched Detroit SportsNet.
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment confirmed earlier this month that Detroit SportsNet, or DSN, will serve as the year-round home for both the Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings. The network will be powered by MLB Media, marking a shift in how local broadcasts are distributed and produced.
According to reporting from WXYZ and statements from team officials, fans who previously watched Tigers or Red Wings games through traditional cable packages may not need to take additional steps to access the new channel. The expectation is that DSN will appear automatically in TV guides, likely near the same channel location as FanDuel Sports Network.
Ben Fidelman, vice president of communications and broadcasting for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, said distribution agreements are actively being finalized. “The first few distribution agreements are rolling in,” Fidelman said, adding that more updates are expected within the next 24 hours as additional deals are completed.
For cord-cutters and streaming viewers, DSN will offer a direct-to-consumer option priced at $19.99 per month or $189.99 annually. The streaming package is expected to launch alongside the 2026 Tigers season, with Red Wings coverage transitioning to the platform for the 2026-27 NHL season.
Initial carriage details have also begun to surface. Current listings include:
• Comcast/Xfinity, Channel 1253
• Charter/Spectrum, Channel 213 in multiple Michigan markets including Detroit, Flint-Saginaw, Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, and Traverse City
• Charter/Spectrum, Channel 291 in Livonia
• Charter/Spectrum, Channel 436 via the Spectrum app
• DirecTV, Channel 663
These agreements are not yet considered final, and additional providers could be added as negotiations continue.
Broadcast teams will remain familiar for fans. Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson are set to continue leading Tigers broadcasts, joined by analysts Andy Dirks and Dan Petry. On the Red Wings side, Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond will remain in place.
The rollout comes at a critical time, with the Tigers set to open their season this week. For many fans, the biggest question remains access. Early indications suggest a relatively smooth transition for cable subscribers, while streaming options provide an alternative for those outside traditional TV packages.
More updates are expected as distribution deals are finalized and DSN fully launches.