Detroit SportsNet is coming into focus for fans just days before the Tigers open their 2026 season, with distribution agreements landing fast and more expected to follow.
Ben Fidelman, vice president of communications and broadcasting at Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, confirmed Wednesday that the first wave of carrier deals has been finalized, with additional agreements expected to close within 24 hours. For Tigers fans who have been wondering how to tune in, here is what you need to know right now.
Where to Find Detroit SportsNet
Comcast/Xfinity subscribers can find DSN on channel 1253. Charter/Spectrum customers have a few different channel numbers depending on their market and how they watch. The channel sits at 213 across Detroit, Alpena, Duluth-Superior, Flint-Saginaw, Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, and Traverse City. Livonia-area Spectrum subscribers will find it on channel 291. If you watch through the Spectrum app, head to channel 436. DirecTV customers can tune in on channel 663.
Fidelman offered some reassurance to longtime subscribers in a post on X last week. If you watched Tigers or Red Wings games through your cable package in previous seasons, there is a good chance no action will be needed on your end. He wrote that the new channel will likely appear automatically, probably in the same neighborhood as FanDuel Sports Network on your TV guide.
More distribution deals are still being finalized, so fans who do not see their provider listed should check back. Fidelman said updates will come as agreements are completed.
The Streaming Option
For fans who have cut the cord or simply prefer to stream, Detroit SportsNet will offer a direct-to-consumer option. The monthly price comes in at $19.99, with an annual plan available at $189.99. The streaming service will be powered by MLB Media, which brings significant infrastructure to the table for handling live sports broadcasts at scale.
That pricing puts DSN in a reasonable range compared to other regional sports streaming options that have emerged around the country in recent years. Fans who only care about Tigers and Red Wings games will not need to bundle it with anything else to get access.
What Detroit SportsNet Actually Is
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announced DSN earlier this month as the new year-round home for two of Detroit’s marquee franchises. The channel officially launches with the 2026 Tigers season, which means Thursday’s opener serves as the debut broadcast. The Detroit Red Wings will follow when the 2026-27 NHL season gets underway.
The shift to a team-operated regional sports network is part of a broader trend playing out across professional sports. Regional sports networks tied to legacy cable bundles have struggled as viewership habits change, and several franchises around the country have moved to take more direct control over how their games reach fans. Detroit is now making that same move, with Ilitch Sports + Entertainment building DSN as the dedicated home for Tigers and Red Wings content throughout the year, not just during game nights.
Powered by MLB Media, the channel has the backing of a league-level media operation that has been expanding its broadcast and streaming capabilities for years. That partnership should give DSN the technical foundation it needs to deliver reliable live broadcasts from opening day forward.
The Broadcast Teams Stay Intact
One of the cleaner parts of this transition is that the on-air talent is not going anywhere. Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson will continue leading Tigers broadcasts, with analysts Andy Dirks and Dan Petry alongside them. Benetti has built a strong following since joining the Tigers booth, and pairing him with Dickerson, who has been the voice of Tigers radio for decades, gives DSN an experienced and familiar crew from the first pitch.
On the Red Wings side, Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond remain with the team. Daniels and Redmond have been one of the most enduring broadcast partnerships in hockey, and their continued presence signals that DSN is not looking to shake up what has worked. For fans who were worried the network change might mean losing familiar voices, those concerns can be set aside.
What Comes Next
The Tigers opener Thursday represents the real test. Distribution agreements are one thing, but the broadcast itself will tell fans what DSN actually looks like in practice. Production quality, streaming reliability, and the overall presentation will all be on display from the first inning.
The fact that Fidelman has been active on X providing updates and publishing detailed guides for fans suggests that Ilitch Sports + Entertainment understands this launch carries real stakes. Getting fans to the channel smoothly, especially older subscribers who may not be used to navigating new network placements, matters as much as signing the distribution deals themselves.
The Red Wings piece of this will come later, giving the organization time to work through any early friction before hockey season begins. But with the Tigers opener serving as the launch moment, there is no soft rollout. Detroit SportsNet goes live under real conditions, with a real audience, from day one.
For now, Tigers fans on Xfinity, Spectrum, and DirecTV have a path to Thursday’s game. More providers are expected to confirm before the first pitch. Fans who want to stream directly have a price and a plan to sign up for. The pieces are in place, and the channel has its broadcast team ready to go.
Check back for updates as additional distribution agreements are confirmed ahead of the 2026 opener.
