RBR+TVBR has confirmed that play-by-play coverage of two of Detroit professional sports teams will soon be heading to the CW Network affiliate serving the Motor City owned by The E.W. Scripps Co.
Starting on Monday (April 1), WMYD-20 in Detroit will air its first Detroit Pistons telecast. The NBA team is hosting the Memphis Grizzlies.
News of the arrangement, which will also include forthcoming Detroit Red Wings games, was first discussed on Michigan-focused message boards on Monday. At 2pm Eastern on Tuesday (3/26), WMYD made the news public ahead of a formal announcement from Scripps.
In partnership with Scripps Sports, “TV20 Detroit” will air five Detroit Pistons games across April and the final three Detroit Red Wings games as the team fights for a playoff spot. WMYD will also broadcast pre-game and post-game shows for the three Red Wings games.
In an interesting twist, Bally Sports Detroit will also air the games across the state of Michigan. In other situations where over-the-air broadcast rights were granted, coverage on the regional sports network would not be seen.
Here’s a list of the Detroit Pistons games:
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Monday, April 1 – Memphis Grizzlies – 7 p.m.
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Tuesday, April 9 – at Philadelphia 76ers – 7 p.m.
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Thursday, April 11 – Chicago Bulls – 7 p.m.
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Friday, April 12 – at Dallas Mavericks – 8:30 p.m.
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Sunday, April 14 – at San Antonio Spurs – 3:30 p.m. (season finale)
Here’s a list of the Red Wings games:
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Saturday, April 13 – at Toronto Maple Leafs – 7 p.m.
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Monday, April 15 – Montreal Canadiens – 7 p.m.
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Tuesday, April 16 – at Montreal Canadiens – 7 p.m. ( regular season finale)
What does this mean for The CW Network? Programming is expected to be preempted. However, it is known that WMYD holds a 1-year contract with the network and was meant to be a temporary placeholder while the former affiliate for The CW — WADL-38 — awaits a yes or no from the FCC regarding its proposed $75 million sale to Mission Broadcasting by Adell Broadcasting. Should the FCC grant the deal, which must close by the end of June, it is highly anticipated that The CW will return to WADL, given Mission’s close ties to network majority interest holder Nexstar Media Group.
