Everything Tigers fans need to know about latest development for 2026 TV deal

For years, watching the Detroit Tigers has been harder than it needed to be. Blackouts, shrinking cable access, streaming confusion — all while the team rebuilt on the field. Now, with the collapse of the regional sports network model accelerating, real clarity is finally coming into focus.

The Tigers are officially exiting FanDuel Sports Network as part of a broader breakup with parent company Main Street Sports Group, per Sports Business Journal. They’re expected to be one of eight MLB teams transitioning their local broadcasts to MLB Media, joining clubs like the Cardinals and Brewers, who have already made the move official.

For Tigers fans, this isn’t just corporate shuffling. It has real, practical implications. Most notably, Tigers games are expected to stream locally through the MLB app. That means in-market access without a traditional cable subscription — a long-awaited change for fans who’ve been boxed out by outdated TV models.

Linear television isn’t disappearing, either. Detroit is expected to strike direct distribution deals with local cable and satellite providers, ensuring games remain available for fans who still prefer that route.

There is still a slim chance the Tigers explore an independent streaming option. Platforms like Victory+ or others remain on the table, and SBJ reports that teams like the Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Angels have at least evaluated those possibilities. But with Opening Day just weeks away, MLB Media offers the fastest, most stable landing spot — and stability is the key word here.

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For the Tigers, this move isn’t about maximizing short-term revenue. It’s about control, predictability, and modernizing how fans actually consume games. MLB Media provides centralized production, technical support, and a built-in streaming audience — all things the RSN model increasingly failed to deliver.

There’s also a bigger Detroit sports angle. The Illitch family is expected to bring the Detroit Red Wings along with the Tigers into MLB Media’s production ecosystem. MLB Media would assist with Red Wings’ linear broadcasts, while their digital games would shift to the NHL’s Game Center app. It’s a coordinated reset, not a patchwork fix.

For Tigers fans, the bottom line is simple: watching games should finally become easier. Fewer blackouts. More direct access. A future built around streaming without abandoning traditional TV entirely.

It may not feel as exciting as a splashy signing, but after years of frustration, this could be one of the most fan-friendly moves the Tigers have made in a long time.