Pistons Return to Free Over-The-Air TV With Scripps Deal Starting 2026-27
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The Detroit Pistons will bring their games back to free, over-the-air television under a new media rights agreement with Scripps Sports, the team announced Thursday.
Beginning with the 2026-27 NBA season, every locally available preseason and regular-season contest will air on WMYD TV20 Detroit, marking the club’s first primary partnership with a local broadcast station since 2005. The deal eliminates the need for a paid subscription to watch Pistons games in the Detroit market.
“This move is for our fans. We want to make sure that more people in Detroit and throughout Michigan can be part of the journey,” owner Tom Gores said in a statement.
Coverage will also include programming on WXYZ, Detroit’s ABC affiliate, featuring pregame and postgame shows, a weekly team program and additional digital content, according to Scripps.
The timing follows the NBA’s recent decision to allow 13 teams aligned with FanDuel Sports Network to seek new local broadcast arrangements amid the expected shutdown of Main Street Sports Group’s regional operations. That list included the Pistons, Cavaliers, Bucks and others.
Detroit is the first of those clubs to secure a new television home, underscoring a broader league trend toward combining over-the-air access with streaming options to reach wider audiences.
Source: Hoops Wire
