Tampa Bay Lightning Leaves FanDuel Sports Network, Games to Air Free This Fall
Tampa hockey fans will have a new viewing option next season. The Tampa Bay Lightning just left FanDuel Sports Network Sun to switch to a free over-the-air channel. Scripps will launch a new local station in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area to be called WXPX-TV or “The Spot – Tampa Bay 66.” That channel will carry regional Lightning games.
The new channel will launch locally on July 1. When the Lightning aren’t playing, the channel will have news and entertainment programming.
Scripps says it’s working with live TV providers to make sure the channel is widely available. You’ll also be able to tune in with an antenna.
Fans will also be able to livestream games with the Lightning app throughout the Bolts’ broadcast area. The team promises a “fan-friendly pricing approach.”
In the NHL, Scripps Sports also has similar media rights agreements with the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers and Utah Mammoth. The Mammoth offer a $14.99/month subscription. The Golden Knights and Panthers only offer a $69.99/season plan. I expect Lightning fans will get the same pricing.
FanDuel Loses Again
Although FanDuel Sports Network has been on a hot streak as it zeroes in on 1 million subscribers, the loss of any team weakens its portfolio tremendously.
This departure means FanDuel Sports Network Sun now only has game rights for the Miami Heat and Tampa Bay Rays. When other FanDuel channels have lost teams, they haven’t reduced the price to compensate.
$19.99
What Teams Still Partner with FanDuel Sports Network?
FanDuel recently announced it had locked down all its NBA teams for next season, but the future gets cloudy beyond that.
| NBA | NHL | MLB |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | Carolina Hurricanes | Atlanta Braves |
| Charlotte Hornets | Columbus Blue Jackets | Detroit Tigers |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Detroit Red Wings | Kansas City Royals |
| Detroit Pistons | LA Kings | Los Angeles Angels |
| Indiana Pacers | Minnesota Wild | Miami Marlins |
| LA Clippers | Nashville Predators | Milwaukee Brewers |
| Memphis Grizzlies | St. Louis Blues | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Miami Heat | Tampa Bay Rays | |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Cincinnati Reds | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | ||
| Oklahoma City Thunder | ||
| Orlando Magic | ||
| San Antonio Spurs |
