Tampa Bay Lightning Teams Up with Scripps Sports for Enhanced Broadcast Access

Tampa Bay Lightning and Scripps Sports Unite for Enhanced NHL Broadcasts

In an exciting announcement for hockey enthusiasts, the Tampa Bay Lightning have partnered with Scripps Sports to create a multi-year agreement aimed at improving access to live games for fans throughout the Tampa Bay area. The deal, which is set to commence at the beginning of the 2025-26 NHL season, guarantees that viewers will enjoy the convenience of watching Lightning games for free through local broadcasts, whether they choose cable, satellite, or even over-the-air television.

This partnership signifies a pivotal move for both the Lightning and Scripps Sports, allowing the latter to produce and distribute all preseason, regular season, and first-round playoff games not exclusively held by national broadcasters. With local airings becoming ever essential for fan engagement, Scripps plans to launch a new full-power local station, designated as WXPX-TV, proudly branded as "The Spot – Tampa Bay 66." Slated for a July 1 launch, this station will not only facilitate broadcasting of all Lightning games but will also provide related news and entertainment programming.

Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports, expressed his excitement about the arrangement, emphasizing that Bolts fans deserve convenient access to watch their favorite team, no matter where they are.