Detroit Sports Fans Face New Streaming Challenges with Amazon Deal

DETROIT — Michigan sports fans are facing new and costly options for watching local teams as Amazon partners with the newly branded FanDuel Sports Network to stream games on Prime Video. Starting on February 19, 2024, subscribers can access games for $19.99 per month.

This partnership comes on the heels of a prolonged blackout situation prior to the end of the Tigers’ 2023 season, causing frustration among loyal fans who struggled to watch their teams. Ryan Ermanni, a FOX 2 sports commentator, expressed concerns, stating, “Last year was an absolute disaster with the Detroit Tigers and being able to watch them for what seemed like the entire season.”

Through the FanDuel Sports Network, viewers will be able to catch regular-season games for the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons, and Detroit Red Wings. The new streaming option is particularly relevant as all three teams are gearing up for pivotal parts of their respective seasons.

To access the games through Amazon Prime, fans will need both an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $14.99 per month, and the additional $19.99 subscription to the FanDuel package. In comparison, the FanDuel app offers a discount for yearly subscriptions, allowing users to save approximately $50 over the monthly plan.

Ermanni noted that this trend of increasing subscription costs is becoming a common sight in the sports broadcasting landscape. “This is becoming a huge trend in sports as these teams try to monetize and get every single dollar out of every single media company in the world. We are seeing this more and more,” he said.

When FOX 2 spoke to fans on the streets regarding the new pricing, many voiced their frustration. One fan commented, “I’m the biggest sports fan in the world, and it’s just so off-putting to me what it takes to be able to go to a game, and now what it takes to be able to watch a game makes me care a lot less.”

As the Pistons and Red Wings are currently in playoff positions and the Tigers prepare for their Grapefruit League opener, the necessity for fans to adapt to these new viewing options becomes imperative.