Opening Day hits next Thursday, and Tigers fans are getting a new kind of lineup card: the local TV home for games is shifting to Detroit SportsNet, with in-market streaming handled inside the MLB app. That switch means cord-cutters who leaned on FanDuel's regional channel now have to track down Detroit SportsNet on their cable or satellite lineup, or buy a streaming subscription instead. The overhaul follows a rights shakeup that moved production and distribution under team ownership with support from Major League Baseball.
According to MLB.com, Detroit SportsNet will cost $19.99 per month or $189.99 for the year, and Tigers games will stream within the MLB app rather than through a standalone DSN app. MLB's announcement also said there was an introductory sign-up window that included a short free trial covering the first five regular-season games. That window closed on March 22, and billing for paid plans is set to begin around April 1.
As reported by The Associated Press, the move comes after the team split from FanDuel's regional operator when rights payments were missed, prompting several clubs to pull local broadcasts back under their own umbrellas. Team and league officials are betting that this setup will give fans a steadier in-market streaming option while traditional cable and satellite carriage deals are hammered out.
Fans who previously subscribed through FanDuel should not expect those accounts to roll over automatically. MLive reports that subscriptions do not transfer to Detroit SportsNet, so FanDuel customers who want their money back have to cancel and actively request refunds. FanDuel customer service told MLive it will offer full or prorated refunds for purchases made directly through FanDuel, while subscriptions bought inside device app stores usually require refund requests through those platforms. See Apple Support and Google Play Help for the specific refund steps on each service.
The broadcast booth will feel familiar, even if the channel is new. CBS Detroit notes that Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson will handle play-by-play duties, with Dan Petry and Andy Dirks serving as the primary analysts. The Red Wings are slated to join Detroit SportsNet for the 2026-27 NHL season, while they finish out the current campaign on their existing network. That means fans of both teams will eventually land on the same platform.
Where to check for the channel
Local outlets say carriage deals are still being negotiated, and specific channel lineups for each provider will be released once those agreements are finalized. FOX 2 Detroit notes that a dedicated television channel is expected to appear in cable and satellite packages, while WNEM reports that the actual channel number may not show up until very close to game day. Either way, fans are being urged to check their provider's on-screen guide, mobile app, or the MLB app on the morning of the opener.
Quick steps for fans
In practical terms, fans have two quick chores. First, confirm whether your pay-TV provider has added Detroit SportsNet to your package. If not, and you live within the Tigers' home territory, you can purchase the in-market streaming subscription directly inside the MLB app. MLB.com lays out the blackout rules and notes that in-market access is based on your billing ZIP code, so make sure your account settings and billing address are accurate before first pitch. If anything glitches, your best bets are to contact your TV or streaming provider, check with the platform where you bought your subscription, or reach out to the team's support channels for help.
