Major League Baseball will produce and distribute local television broadcasts for the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings starting this season. The partnership announced Monday marks a unique arrangement as the Tigers join MLB's growing list of teams taking over their own broadcast production amid uncertainty in the regional sports network industry.

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, which owns both franchises, will handle hockey broadcast production while MLB manages distribution for both teams. The move comes as Main Street Sports Group faces potential insolvency, having failed to make scheduled rights payments to 15 teams. MLB now produces broadcasts for at least 14 teams, including recent additions like the Reds, Royals, and Marlins.

Red Wings games will continue on Sports Detroit through season's end, but the NBA and NHL teams on these networks are preparing for worst-case scenarios. MLB has emphasized expanded market reach through this model, combining local cable, satellite, and direct-to-consumer streaming options. The Tigers and Red Wings join other franchises that terminated deals with Main Street last month, seeking more reliable distribution methods for their games.