The Detroit Pistons have reached an agreement with more than a half-dozen additional broadcast television partners to bring their locally-televised games to free, over-the-air TV channels this season, The Desk has learned.
The agreement builds on one announced in May that will see E. W. Scripps-owned WMYD (Channel 20) serve as the exclusive local broadcast partner of non-nationally televised games in the Detroit market during the 2026-27 season, effectively replacing FanDuel Sports Network, which shut down earlier this year.
In addition to WMYD in Detroit, Scripps Sports will distribute Pistons games to seven other broadcast TV stations throughout the Pistons home market, including:
- WWTV (Channel 9) in Traverse City
- WWUP (Channel 10) in Saul St. Marie
- WSYM (Channel 47) in Lansing
- WBKB (Channel 11) in Alpena
- WXMI (Channel 17) in Grand Rapids
- WNEM (Channel 5) in Flint
- WJMN (Channel 3) in Marquette
- WBKP (Channel 5) in Calumet
Games will also be available on radio partner WXYT (97.1 FM) in Detroit and stream through sports platform DAZN.
“Scripps Sports and The Spot – Detroit 20 are proud to be the broadcast television partners of one of the NBA’s most storied franchises,” said Scripps Regional General Manager Mike Murr. “Detroit has an incredible basketball tradition, and we’re committed to delivering the high-quality local sports coverage that Pistons fans deserve. This is exactly the kind of meaningful community partnership that drives everything we do at Scripps.”
More than 70 games will be available through local broadcast TV and DAZN this season. National rights to NBA games are held by Amazon’s Prime Video, Comcast’s NBC Sports and Disney’s ESPN and ABC.
“For the first time in more than two decades, Pistons fans across Detroit and throughout Michigan will have more ways than ever to watch and listen to Detroit Basketball, including free, over-the-air television and radio, along with streaming,” Pistons President of Business Operations Melanie Harris said in a statement on Monday. “This is an exciting moment for our organization and, most importantly, for our fans. Together with Scripps Sports, DAZN and Audacy’s 97.1 The Ticket, we’re making it easier for fans across our region to connect with the Pistons, follow the team throughout the season and be part of the energy surrounding Detroit Basketball. We couldn’t be more excited to bring the Pistons closer to more fans, wherever and however they choose to follow us.”
