Ilitch organization announces exploration of creating regional sports network

By @MichaelCaples –

You may sometime soon be watching Red Wings games on a different channel.

The Ilitch organization announced this morning that it is “exploring the creation of a new regional sports network.”

The release says it would serve as the television, broadcast and distribution home for the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and additional sports- and entertainment-related content.

No deadlines are set, but, the official announcement says an extensive exploratory process will begin immediately.

“Fox Sports Detroit is a great partner and we look forward to discussing renewal and extension possibilities,” said Chris Granger, Group President, Sports and Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “At the same time, we have two perennially highly-rated and historic franchises, which provide compelling year-round content and programming. As such, we feel our organization is uniquely positioned to explore the launch of what we believe could be a highly successful regional sports network.”

The release states that the Tigers and Red Wings rank No. 1 and 2, respectively, in terms of total primetime consumption in the Detroit television market. Regional sports networks either partially or fully by sports franchises exist in New York (YES, SNY, MSG), Massachusetts (NESN), Maryland (MASN) and Colorado (Altitude Sports).

Fox Sports Detroit began in 1997, and has been airing Tigers and Red Wings games ever since.