Title: Florida Panthers Shift TV Broadcast Home to Local Networks
The Florida Panthers, recently crowned as the National Hockey League Stanley Cup champions, have made a significant move by signing a multiyear deal with E.W. Scripps to broadcast their regular season games on local networks in Florida. This marks a departure from their previous cable TV regional sports network home.
This strategic partnership allows E.W. Scripps to air all locally produced Panthers preseason, regular season games, and round one of the playoffs. Additionally, the Panthers are set to launch a streaming service in collaboration with Scripps Sports, offering fans an alternative viewing option for the upcoming 2024 season.
The decision to shift to local broadcast stations comes at a time when the traditional regional sports network model is facing challenges due to the rise of streaming services. With Diamond Sports Group, the previous owner of the Panthers’ TV rights, filing for bankruptcy in 2023, professional sports teams have been exploring new broadcast opportunities to reach a wider audience.
While the terms of the deal remain undisclosed, this move signals a broader trend in the industry, as more teams opt for broadcast station partnerships. These agreements promise greater visibility and accessibility, as games are now available to all pay TV subscribers and even viewers using antennas.
Despite the shift to local networks, it is important to note that these deals may not command the same financial value as those with regional sports networks. Previously, the Panthers had doubled the value of their TV rights deal with Bally Sports Florida in 2022, underscoring the lucrative nature of traditional broadcast partnerships.
Notably, Scripps has also secured a similar broadcast deal with the Las Vegas Golden Knights, highlighting the growing interest of broadcast station owners in professional sports content. As Diamond Sports Group continues to navigate bankrupcy proceedings, the future landscape of sports broadcasting remains a topic of interest for both fans and industry insiders.
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