The Nashville Predators are making a significant shift in their local media strategy, announcing a multiyear broadcast agreement with Scripps Sports that will bring games back to free, over-the-air television starting next season.
Under the deal, most games will air on WNPX-TV, which is set to be rebranded as “The Spot — Nashville 28.†The move places the Predators alongside a growing NHL portfolio at Scripps that already includes the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, and Utah Mammoth.
End of the RSN Era
The transition marks a historic break for the franchise. For the first time, Predators regional broadcasts will not rely on a traditional regional sports network (RSN).
Currently, games air on FanDuel Sports Network South, operated by Main Street Sports Group. That network is expected to shut down following the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, accelerating the team’s move toward a new distribution model.
Distribution Tensions Rise
The deal also intersects with ongoing carriage disputes. Comcast Xfinity recently blacked out several Scripps-owned stations, tied in part to negotiations over carrying channels that broadcast NHL games.
Scripps is pushing for broader distribution, including stations tied to the Lightning and Mammoth, while Comcast already carries WTVF — a CBS affiliate in Nashville acquired by Scripps in 2025.
Streaming Play in the Works
Beyond linear TV, the Predators and Scripps are also developing a direct-to-consumer streaming platform, aligning with a broader industry trend toward team-controlled distribution.
Earlier discussions had linked the Predators to a potential multi-team regional network alongside the Atlanta Braves and their BravesVision platform, though no expansion has been confirmed.
Bigger Picture
This move reinforces a growing shift across sports media: teams abandoning the collapsing RSN model in favor of free broadcast reach plus streaming monetization.
For the Predators, it’s not just a distribution change — it’s a reset of how fans access the game.