Scripps Sports, Nashville Predators partner on multi-year agreement to air National Hockey League team’s games

Rhea-AI Summary

Scripps Sports (NASDAQ: SSP) reached a multi-year media rights agreement with the Nashville Predators to air all local preseason, regular season and first-round playoff games not reserved for national broadcasters beginning in the 2026–27 NHL season. WNPX-TV will be branded “The Spot – Nashville 28” and serve as the broadcast home, with live 30-minute pre- and postgame shows. The deal includes a new direct-to-consumer livestream within the local territory and distribution via WTVF NewsChannel 5, cable/satellite partners, Tablo DVR/streaming, and potential partners across the Predators’ five-state territory.

Positive

• Multi-year local media rights starting in 2026–27 season
• Free over-the-air access across Middle Tennessee
• Predators join Scripps’ five-team NHL media portfolio

Negative

• No financial terms disclosed, limiting investor visibility

News Market Reaction – SSP

-1.55%

-1.55% Session close to close

In the Apr 7 session, SSP declined 1.55%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement extends Scripps Sports’ push into live sports by adding full-season local rights f...

Analysis

This announcement extends Scripps Sports’ push into live sports by adding full-season local rights for the Nashville Predators starting in the 2026–27 NHL season, including preseason, regular season and first-round playoff games plus 30-minute studio shows. It also introduces a direct-to-consumer streaming option across a five-state territory. In context with recent WRTV divestiture and new sports properties, investors may watch how these rights translate into viewership, advertising demand and long-term network performance.

Key Figures

Season start: 2026–27 NHL season Pre/post shows length: 30-minute shows First-round playoffs: First-round local rights +5 more

8 metrics

Season start 2026–27 NHL season Predators local rights begin with 2026–27 season

Pre/post shows length 30-minute shows Live pre-game and post-game shows for every local broadcast

First-round playoffs First-round local rights Covers preseason, regular season and first-round playoff games not nationally exclusive

Five-state territory 5 states Predators viewing territory: KY, TN, AL, MS and GA

Other NHL teams 4 teams Other NHL franchises in Scripps Sports’ full-season rights portfolio

Price move 6.03% SSP price change over prior 24 hours pre-article

52-week range high $4.98 52-week high before this news

52-week range low $1.905 52-week low before this news

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 31 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Mar 31	Station sale, capital	Positive	-4.0%	Closed WRTV sale, reallocating $123M proceeds toward debt and ION stations.
Mar 23	Sports channel launch	Positive	+11.9%	Announced free ad-supported Scripps Sports Network with 100+ live events.
Mar 18	PWHL Finals on ION	Positive	-6.6%	Secured U.S. national TV coverage of PWHL Walter Cup Finals on ION.
Mar 12	PWHL TV partnership	Positive	-2.4%	Partnered with Ally and PWHL for first-ever nationally televised PWHL game.
Mar 11	NWSL coverage plans	Positive	-5.2%	Outlined 2026 NWSL broadcast plans with Saturday tripleheaders on ION.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent sports and network expansion news often saw weak or negative next-day reactions, with only one of five events showing a positive alignment.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, Scripps has reshaped its portfolio and expanded sports content. On Mar 31, it closed the $83M WRTV sale to help fund ION station buybacks and debt reduction. Earlier March headlines highlighted new sports properties: launching the Scripps Sports Network FAST channel on Mar 24, national PWHL broadcasts, an Ally-backed PWHL partnership, and expanded 2026 NWSL coverage on ION. Today’s Predators deal continues that push into live sports and regional rights.

Key Terms

over-the-air, direct-to-consumer, livestream, dvr, +1 more

5 terms

over-the-air technical

"brings free, over-the-air access to the Predators’ National Hockey League games"

Over-the-air means sending data, software or updates wirelessly to devices without needing a physical connection or in-person visit, like receiving a new app or firmware update through your phone or car’s cellular connection. Investors care because it lets companies fix bugs, add features, or patch security remotely, reducing recall costs and boosting user experience and recurring revenue, while also introducing regulatory and cybersecurity risks that can affect value.

direct-to-consumer financial

"introducing a new, direct-to-consumer experience where fans can livestream games"

A direct-to-consumer (DTC) model is when a company sells its products or services straight to customers, skipping middlemen like retailers or wholesalers. For investors, DTC matters because it can mean higher profit margins, closer customer relationships and faster feedback—like a baker who sells directly from the shop instead of through a grocery chain—while also exposing the business to costs for marketing, customer support and logistics that affect growth and profitability.

livestream technical

"fans can livestream games throughout the local broadcast territory"

A livestream is a real-time audio and/or video broadcast delivered over the internet so viewers can watch events as they happen, like a virtual town hall or live TV. For investors it matters because livestreams of earnings calls, product announcements, or shareholder meetings let you hear management’s tone, see demonstrations, and get immediate updates and answers—similar to being in the room—helping you judge credibility and react quickly to new information.

dvr technical

"via the team’s soon-to-be-released live streaming app as well as the Tablo over-the-air DVR and streaming platform"

Differential Voting Rights (DVR) shares are stock that give holders different voting power than ordinary shares—usually fewer votes per share—while still granting the same claim on dividends and company profits. For investors, DVRs matter because they let you own economic upside without the same influence over management, like buying a smaller steering wheel on the same car; this often affects share price, liquidity, and how much say you have in major corporate decisions.

streaming platform technical

"Tablo over-the-air DVR and streaming platform, allowing viewers to watch live"

A streaming platform is an internet service that delivers audio or video content live or on demand to phones, TVs, or computers, like a digital TV channel or library you access anytime. It matters to investors because its subscriber numbers, how long users watch, and how it makes money (subscriptions, ads, or rentals) drive revenue and profit, while content costs and customer turnover affect future growth and valuation.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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NASHVILLE and CINCINNATI, April 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Nashville Predators and Scripps Sports have created a landmark multi-year media rights agreement that brings free, over-the-air access to the Predators’ National Hockey League games to fans across Middle Tennessee and beyond beginning with the 2026–27 NHL season.

This new agreement allows The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) to produce and distribute all local preseason, regular season and first-round playoff Predators games that are not allocated exclusively to national broadcasts. Scripps Sports will also broadcast live 30-minute pre-game and post-game shows for every locally broadcast Predators game.

Scripps, which owns WTVF NewsChannel 5 in Nashville, plans to use its second full-power local station in the Middle Tennessee area, WNPX-TV. WNPX, which will be the broadcast home of the Predators, will be branded “The Spot – Nashville 28” beginning this summer, featuring news and entertainment programming in addition to all locally produced Predators games when the NHL season starts in October.

In addition to the local TV broadcasts, the Predators and Scripps Sports will be introducing a new, direct-to-consumer experience where fans can livestream games throughout the local broadcast territory. More details on the streaming experience will be unveiled soon.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Scripps Sports in delivering broadcasts of Preds games for free to our fans,” said Sean Henry, chief executive officer of the Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena. “Our partnership has been a natural fit as we are aligned on key community initiatives, and we greatly appreciate the way Scripps has embraced the Preds and our fans.

“Scripps’ ability and commitment to delivering our games across our broad television market and making them accessible to all is vital in fueling the passion of Smashville. The network’s dedication to exceptional production standards aligns with our goal of providing a first-class viewing experience for the best fans in sports. We are truly grateful to our new partners.”

“Scripps Sports could not be more pleased to become the broadcast partner for the Nashville Predators. Nashville is a hockey town, and this partnership makes Predators games available to the widest possible local audience,” said Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports. “The combination of broadcast television and streaming guarantees that all Preds fans can follow the action wherever they choose to watch, on whatever device they choose.”

“The Predators and NewsChannel 5 have worked together for years to bring connection in our community, whether it’s through literacy drives, disaster relief or fun, family-friendly animated hockey games. Our partnership has always been about doing what’s best for our home and our neighbors,” said Lyn Plantinga, Scripps senior vice president of local media and WTVF general manager. “Now, we’re taking that connection even further, giving fans more access to the games they love while doubling down on our shared commitment to serve Middle Tennessee, both on and off the ice.”

The Predators join four other teams in Scripps Sports’ portfolio of NHL full-season media rights agreements: the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers and Utah Mammoth.

How to watch
Fans can watch all locally broadcast Predators games on “The Spot – Nashville 28” over the air with an antenna, on cable and satellite distributors serving the Predators territory and on WTVF NewsChannel 5 when programming is designated. Games also will be available via the team’s soon-to-be-released live streaming app as well as the Tablo over-the-air DVR and streaming platform, allowing viewers to watch live or record games to enjoy later.

In addition to the over-the-air access being provided to Predators fans in Middle Tennessee on The Spot – Nashville 28, Scripps will look to partner with other broadcasters through the Preds’ five-state viewing territory of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia for distribution of the full-season of Predators games in each local market. More details on how and where to watch will be provided on the team’s website before the start of the 2026-27 season this fall.

About Scripps Sports
Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach. Scripps Sports has partnerships with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Major League Volleyball (MLV), Pro Cheer League (PCL), ATHLOS track-and-field, the National Hockey League’s (NHL) 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, the Utah Mammoth, the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA, Denver Summit FC of the NWSL and the NCAA’s Big Sky Conference. Scripps Sports is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

About the Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators were officially welcomed as the NHL's 27th franchise on May 4, 1998, and over the years, have evolved from a young franchise into an integral part of the Middle Tennessee community. Playing in the heart of Broadway and iconic SMASHVILLE at Bridgestone Arena – one of the busiest and most energetic venues in the country – the Predators boast one of the most unique atmospheres in the NHL. The team has seen success in recent seasons, celebrating their historic 25th Anniversary in 2023-24, and has continued to thrive, securing a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in nine of the past 11 seasons. Notable highlights of this stretch include a memorable run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2017-18 and earning a second consecutive Central Division title in 2018-19. For more information on the Nashville Predators, game schedule and ticket availability, please go to NashvillePredators.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
For Scripps Sports
Jim Weiss – jim.weiss@scripps.com

For the Nashville Predators
Bill Wickett – bwickett@nashvillepredators.com
Nick Barnowski - nbarnowski@nashvillepredators.com
Abby Helper – ahelper@nashvillepredators.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/270fdea9-6d8b-4a24-9d47-ba3f88b33360

FAQ

What does the Scripps Sports–Predators deal mean for SSP shareholders starting 2026?

It secures multi-year local broadcast rights beginning in the 2026–27 season, expanding local viewership. According to the company, the agreement adds free over-the-air distribution, branded local station coverage, and a new local livestream option within the Predators’ territory.

Which Nashville TV station will air Predators games under SSP’s agreement?

WNPX-TV will be the broadcast home, branded as The Spot – Nashville 28 this summer. According to the company, games also will appear on WTVF NewsChannel 5 when programming is designated and via cable, satellite, Tablo and a new team livestream.

Will Predators games be available to stream under the Scripps (SSP) deal?

Yes — the agreement includes a new direct-to-consumer livestream within the local broadcast territory. According to the company, additional streaming details will be unveiled soon and Tablo DVR/streaming will provide live and recorded viewing options.

When do locally broadcast Predators games start airing on SSP channels?

Locally produced Predators broadcasts begin with the 2026–27 NHL season in October. According to the company, preseason, regular season and first-round playoff games not reserved for national broadcasts are covered under the agreement.

How widely will Predators games be distributed across the region under SSP’s plan?

Games will air over-the-air, on cable and satellite, and via streaming within a five-state territory. According to the company, Scripps will also seek local broadcast partners across Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia for broader distribution.

Does the Scripps–Predators announcement disclose financial terms for SSP investors?

No — the announcement does not provide financial or contract-value details, limiting direct financial impact assessment. According to the company, the release focuses on distribution, branding and streaming plans rather than deal economics.