Scripps Sports, Nashville Predators Partner on Multi-Year Agreement to Air National Hockey League Team’s Games

Why It Matters

Free, over‑the‑air access expands the Predators’ fan base while strengthening Scripps’ position in regional sports broadcasting and advertising revenue.

Key Takeaways

• Multi-year deal gives free over‑air Predators broadcasts
• Scripps will use WNPX‑TV as “The Spot – Nashville 28”
• Live 30‑minute pre‑ and post‑game shows added
• Direct‑to‑consumer streaming app announced for local market
• Expands Scripps Sports portfolio to five‑state region

Pulse Analysis

The partnership between the Nashville Predators and The E.W. Scripps Company marks a rare move toward free, over‑the‑air NHL coverage in a market traditionally dominated by cable and satellite providers. Beginning with the 2026‑27 season, Scripps will air every local preseason, regular‑season and first‑round playoff game on its newly branded station, The Spot – Nashville 28, leveraging the full‑power signal of WNPX‑TV. By delivering high‑definition broadcasts without a subscription fee, the deal taps into a growing consumer appetite for accessible sports content while preserving the league’s regional footprint.

For Scripps Sports, the agreement expands its NHL portfolio to five teams and deepens its presence across a five‑state territory that includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. The dual‑distribution model—combining terrestrial broadcast with a forthcoming direct‑to‑consumer streaming app—creates new inventory for local advertisers and opens subscription‑free digital ad slots. This hybrid approach mirrors broader industry trends where broadcasters monetize both linear viewership and over‑the‑top platforms, positioning Scripps to capture incremental revenue without cannibalizing traditional TV ratings.

Fans in the Predators’ core market stand to benefit from uninterrupted access to games on any antenna, cable or streaming device, reinforcing the “Smashville” brand and community initiatives that the franchise has championed for decades. The inclusion of 30‑minute pre‑game and post‑game shows adds local storytelling and sponsorship opportunities, while the streaming platform promises on‑demand replays for cord‑cutters. As other NHL clubs evaluate similar free‑to‑air models, this deal could set a benchmark for how regional sports networks negotiate rights in an era of fragmented viewing habits.