Tampa Bay Lightning fans will enjoy easier, free access to every game, thanks to a new media partnership with Scripps Sports
The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced a multi-year media rights agreement with Scripps Sports, significantly enhancing how local fans can access their games starting in the 2025-26 NHL season.
According to a statement published May 14, this new partnership will provide free over-the-air broadcasts alongside streaming options, ensuring more comprehensive and accessible coverage for the team’s fanbase in the Tampa Bay area.
Under the deal, Scripps will produce and distribute all pre-season, regular season, and first-round playoff Lightning games that are not covered by national broadcasts.
A major component of the agreement is the launch of a new local television station, WXPX-TV, which will serve as the broadcast home for the Lightning games. The station will be branded as “The Spot – Tampa Bay 66” and will also feature news and entertainment content.
The partnership also introduces a direct-to-consumer streaming option, allowing fans to watch games through the Lightning’s mobile app, powered by ViewLift. This platform will offer greater flexibility and access for viewers, whether at home or on the go.
Expanding regional sports access
The team’s decision is part of a growing trend in sports media, with several teams across the US entering into similar local broadcast and streaming agreements.
Scripps Sports already has media rights deals with NHL teams. The Florida Panthers transitioned to Scripps Sports in July 2024, moving their broadcasts from Bally Sports Florida to Scripps-owned stations WSFL-TV in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, WHDT in West Palm Beach, and WFTX-DT3 in Fort Myers.
Similarly, the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth have partnered with Scripps Sports for their regional broadcasts. The Arizona Coyotes also entered into a multi-year agreement with Scripps Sports in October 2023, making them the second NHL team to broadcast games over the air, following the Golden Knights.
These agreements reflect the increasing demand for regional coverage and digital-first experiences for fans, where access to content is no longer solely dependent on traditional cable television.
Similarly, regional sports networks (RSNs) have been shifting their focus to cater to fans through more accessible digital platforms.
In 2024, for example, Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Bally Sports began offering streaming subscriptions to its regional sports broadcasts. It is just one of the moves the sports industry is taking away from cable dependency and towards a more flexible, direct-to-consumer model, which is becoming the norm in the sports media landscape.
The Lightning’s new media strategy ensures that fans in the Tampa Bay area can follow the team’s progress without additional costs for premium cable packages.
