The Detroit PistonsTeam·Detroit Pistons are set to usher in a new era of accessibility for their fanbase, announcing a significant shift in their local media television rights. Beginning with the 2026-27 NBA season, the Pistons will partner with Scripps Sports to broadcast games on free, over-the-air television, a move designed to make the team's contests more widely available across Michigan.
This landmark agreement, finalized on May 13, 2026, designates WMYD TV20 Detroit, owned by The E.W. Scripps Company, as the official local broadcast home for the franchise. For the first time since 2005, Pistons games will primarily be accessible on a local broadcast television home, ensuring that all locally available preseason and regular season games can be watched for free via over-the-air television, as well as through participating cable and satellite providers.
Pistons Owner Tom Gores underscored the fan-centric motivation behind the decision. "This move is for our fans. It's a new era of Pistons basketball and we want to make sure that more people in Detroit and throughout Michigan can be part of the journey." — Tom Gores. The partnership extends beyond game broadcasts, with Scripps, which also operates WXYZ, Detroit's ABC affiliate, planning to integrate WXYZ's news operations with TV20 Detroit's platform. This will provide comprehensive Pistons coverage, including pregame, in-game, and postgame programming, a weekly half-hour Pistons show, and original team-focused content. Further details regarding a direct-to-consumer streaming application are expected to be announced.
This broadcast pivot arrives at a pivotal moment for the NBA, as the league recently informed 13 teams previously tied to FanDuel Sports Network that they were free to seek new local broadcast deals due to the network's anticipated shutdown. The Pistons' proactive move positions them favorably in this evolving media landscape.
The announcement also coincides with a period of remarkable success for the Detroit PistonsTeam·Detroit Pistons on the court. The 2025-26 season saw the team finish first in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 60-22 record, securing the No. 1 seed. This marks their first 60-win season since 2005-06 and the third-best record in franchise history. They also clinched the Central Division title for the first time since 2008 and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2007.
The Pistons' resurgence included a franchise-tying 13-game winning streak from October 29 to November 26, 2025. Head Coach J.B. BickerstaffCoach·J.B. Bickerstaff was honored with the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award and was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for both October and November. Star guard Cade CunninghamPlayer·Cade Cunningham was a two-time Eastern Conference Player of the Month and, alongside Jalen DurenPlayer·Jalen Duren, earned NBA All-Star selections. In the playoffs, the team demonstrated resilience by overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando MagicTeam·Orlando Magic in the first round, securing their first playoff series win since 2008. This significant turnaround, just two seasons after a record-tying 28-game losing streak, provides a compelling backdrop for the team's commitment to broader fan access.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham moves upcourt during a game. Photo by Marty Jean Louis/IMAGO
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