Last updated Oct. 17, 2026
CBS in Detroit is WWJ-TV on channel 62, branded CBS Detroit. The other big networks are ABC on WXYZ-TV channel 7, NBC on WDIV-TV channel 4 (Local 4), and FOX on WJBK channel 2 (FOX 2). Those are the numbers you’ll see with an antenna, and most cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services carry the same stations.
Below you’ll find every major Detroit station in one table, which channel carries the Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings, and how to get local channels free over the air or through a streaming service.
Table of Contents
Detroit TV channels at a glance
The numbers below are the virtual channels that show up on your TV after an antenna scan. A station’s broadcast frequency can be different, but your set displays the familiar number.
| Network | Station | Call sign | Antenna channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOX | FOX 2 Detroit | WJBK | 2 | Most Lions Sunday afternoon games |
| NBC | Local 4 | WDIV-TV | 4 | “Sunday Night Football,” some Pistons national games |
| ABC | 7 News Detroit | WXYZ-TV | 7 | Owned by Scripps, sister station to Detroit 20 |
| Independent | The Spot – Detroit 20 | WMYD | 20 | Local home of the Pistons starting in 2026-27 |
| ION | ION | WPXD-TV | 31 | ION network programming |
| MyNetworkTV | WADL | WADL | 38 | MyNetworkTV affiliate |
| The CW | CW 50 | WKBD-TV | 50 | CBS-owned sister station to WWJ |
| PBS | Detroit PBS | WTVS | 56 | Public television |
| CBS | CBS Detroit | WWJ-TV | 62 | Some Lions games, including Thanksgiving 2026 |
Two of these trip people up. Channel 50 is The CW, not CBS, even though CBS owns it. Channel 20 is no longer a network affiliate at all. Scripps rebranded it The Spot – Detroit 20 in 2026, and it’s now the over-the-air home for Pistons games that aren’t on national TV.
What channel is the Detroit game on?
It depends on the team and, for the Lions, on the opponent and kickoff time. Here’s the quick version for fall 2026.
| Team | Local TV | National TV | Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | FOX 2 (WJBK) or CBS 62 (WWJ) for Sunday afternoon games | NBC (Local 4), ESPN, Prime Video | Paramount+ for CBS games; Peacock for NBC games; Prime Video for Thursday games |
| Pistons | Detroit 20 (WMYD) | NBC/Peacock, ESPN, Prime Video | DAZN for local games in the home market |
| Red Wings | Detroit SportsNet (cable/satellite channel, not over the air) | Selected games on national networks | Detroit SportsNet via the MLB app; DirecTV Stream; Fubo |
| Tigers | Detroit SportsNet during the season | Selected games on national networks | Detroit SportsNet via the MLB app |
Lions
Most Lions Sunday afternoon games air on FOX 2, which holds the NFL’s main NFC package. The league also assigns some Lions games to CBS 62: this season that’s Tampa Bay on Nov. 22, Thanksgiving against Chicago on Nov. 26, and Atlanta on Dec. 6. The Lions have a bye this weekend. Their next game is Sunday, Oct. 25, against Green Bay at Ford Field at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX 2, according to the team’s official schedule.
Prime-time games are spread across networks. The Lions play at Minnesota on Dec. 20 on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” and host the Giants on Dec. 28 on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” Late-season times and networks can change because of NFL flex scheduling, so confirm closer to kickoff. Our Detroit Lions schedule tracks every date and network, and our guide to how to watch the Detroit Lions covers radio and out-of-market options.
Pistons
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit shut down earlier this year, so the Pistons moved local games to broadcast TV. Under a multiyear deal with Scripps announced in May, games that aren’t on national TV air free on Detroit 20 and stream in the home market on DAZN. The Pistons open the season Tuesday, Oct. 20, at home against Boston on NBC and Peacock, part of 19 scheduled national TV appearances. Check the Detroit Pistons schedule for each game’s channel.
Red Wings and Tigers
The Red Wings and Tigers now share Detroit SportsNet, a channel launched in 2026 by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment with MLB Local Media. About 67 Red Wings regular-season games are expected on the channel this season. It’s carried by Xfinity, Spectrum, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and AT&T U-verse, and in-market fans can subscribe directly through a Detroit SportsNet tab in the MLB app. It isn’t available with an antenna. Channel numbers vary by provider and region, so check your provider’s lineup.
How to watch Detroit channels free with an antenna
An indoor or outdoor antenna picks up every station in the first table at no monthly cost, including FOX 2, CBS 62, and Detroit 20. That covers most Lions games and every local Pistons broadcast.
- Check your address. The FCC’s DTV reception maps show which stations reach you and how strong each signal is.
- Pick an antenna for your distance. A flat indoor antenna usually works close to the city. Farther out, an attic or rooftop antenna is more reliable.
- Run a channel scan. Open your TV’s setup menu and choose “channel scan” or “auto program.”
- Rescan now and then. Stations occasionally change frequencies. If a channel disappears, a fresh scan usually brings it back.
Placement matters as much as the antenna. A spot high on a wall or near a window, facing the transmitters, often fixes a channel that keeps breaking up.
Streaming and cable options for Detroit local channels
If you don’t want an antenna, several services carry Detroit’s local stations live:
- Live TV streaming services: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream carry local broadcast networks in many markets. Enter your ZIP code on the service’s site to confirm which Detroit stations you’ll get before you sign up.
- Paramount+: Any plan streams your local CBS station live, which means WWJ’s Lions games in the Detroit market.
- Peacock: The Premium Plus tier includes a live feed of your local NBC station. NBC’s national sports, including “Sunday Night Football,” also stream on Peacock.
- Cable and satellite: Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, and DirecTV carry the major Detroit stations, but channel positions differ by provider and community. Check your provider’s lineup rather than assuming channel 62 is CBS on your box.
Lineups and carriage deals change, especially for independent stations such as Detroit 20. If a channel goes missing on a cable or streaming service, the antenna version is unaffected.
What’s on TV tonight in Detroit?
The fastest way to see tonight’s schedule is your TV’s on-screen guide, which pulls listings for every channel you receive. Each station also posts its lineup on its own website. For sports, start with the team’s schedule. If you missed the game, our who won the Detroit game page has the latest results.
Frequently asked questions
Is CBS Detroit the same as channel 62?
Yes. CBS Detroit is the brand name of WWJ-TV, which broadcasts on virtual channel 62. CBS owns the station directly. Its sister station, WKBD on channel 50, is The CW, not CBS.
What channel is the Pistons game on tonight?
Local Pistons games air free on The Spot – Detroit 20 (WMYD) and stream on DAZN in the home market. Nationally televised games appear on NBC and Peacock, ESPN, or Prime Video instead. The season opener on Oct. 20 is on NBC.
Can I watch Red Wings games with an antenna?
No. Red Wings games that aren’t on national TV air on Detroit SportsNet, a cable and satellite channel. You can get it through providers such as Xfinity, Spectrum, and DirecTV, or stream it through the MLB app with a Detroit SportsNet subscription.
Why are some Lions games on CBS instead of FOX?
FOX holds the NFL’s main NFC package, so the Lions usually land on FOX 2. The league also assigns some games to CBS. In 2026, three Lions games are scheduled on CBS 62: Nov. 22 vs. Tampa Bay, Thanksgiving against Chicago, and Dec. 6 at Atlanta.
The bottom line
Remember four numbers: FOX 2, NBC 4, ABC 7, and CBS 62. Add Detroit 20 for the Pistons and Detroit SportsNet on cable or the MLB app for the Red Wings. An antenna covers almost everything else for free, and your provider’s lineup is the final word on cable channel numbers.
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