Nashville, Tenn. (Aug. 27, 2026) – The Nashville Predators and Scripps Sports announced today the team’s regional television broadcast schedule for the 2026-27 NHL season. In the first season of a landmark, multi-year media rights agreement between the two entities, 85 of the team’s games (four preseason, 81 regular season) will be broadcast regionally on The Spot – Nashville 28, a free, over-the-air channel.
The Spot – Nashville 28 will televise, for the first time in franchise history, all four of the Predators’ preseason games and the season-opener on Oct. 1 vs. Minnesota, which will be preceded by a special one-hour edition of the Predators Pregame Show.
Fans can watch all locally broadcast Predators games on The Spot – Nashville 28 (WNPX) over the air with an antenna or on cable and satellite distributors serving the Predators territory; at least four games will be simulcast on Scripps-owned NewsChannel 5 (WTVF), which serves Nashville’s TV market. Each game broadcast will also feature 30-minute editions of the Predators Pregame Show and Predators Postgame Show.
Additionally, every on-air member of the Predators’ longtime television broadcast team will return for the upcoming campaign, bringing fans closer to the action with access to all local preseason, regular season and first-round playoff games that are not allocated exclusively to national broadcasts.
“This is just the beginning of a great partnership with Scripps Sports that provides significantly increased access to our fans and the SMASHVILLE community,” Predators President and Chief Operating Officer Michelle Kennedy said. “Providing free, over-the-air access to watch our games has long been a priority, and this partnership with Scripps has made that a reality. We’re also thrilled that our entire homegrown broadcast team – who have endeared themselves to our fanbase over the last decade – will be returning. Our core team paired with the resources that Scripps adds will make our broadcasts better than ever before.”
"The upcoming season promises to deliver the high-energy hockey that Preds fans have come to expect, and Scripps Sports is thrilled to showcase this excitement on The Spot – Nashville 28,” Scripps Sports President Brian Lawlor said. “Our expanded coverage means more fans across the region can experience every goal, save, and game-changing moment that makes Predators hockey a cornerstone of Nashville's sports culture.”
In addition to the over-the-air access being provided to Predators fans in Middle Tennessee on The Spot – Nashville 28, Scripps is partnering with other broadcasters through the franchise’s five-state viewing territory of Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia for distribution of the team's full-season of games in each local market; more details will be announced shortly.
Play-by-play announcer Willy Daunic (12th season) and analyst Chris Mason (10th season) return in their roles calling the action. Joining them will be Hal Gill (10th season) as a studio analyst, Lyndsay Rowley(13th season) as Predators Pregame/Postgame Show host for home games and rinkside reporter for road games and Kara Hammer (first season as a full-time broadcast team member and 10th season overall) as rinkside reporter for home games and Predators Pregame/Postgame Show host for road games.
New this season, Predators fans can follow the team like never before by tuning in to a weekly, behind-the-scenes show that premiers on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. CT on NewsChannel 5. New episodes will debut every Friday throughout the season at the same time on NewsChannel 5, with re-airs on The Spot – Nashville 28.
More information regarding the team’s direct-to-consumer streaming service in partnership with ViewLiftwill be announced in the coming weeks. The new streaming app will give fans direct access to live games, on-demand replays and highlights and original programming, all in one place. It will be available on Web, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku TV, Fire TV and Android TV, with additional platforms to be announced. Pricing and trial details will be shared closer to launch.
About the Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators were officially welcomed as the NHL's 27th franchise on May 4, 1998, and in the years since have evolved 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, which is approaching its 30th anniversary, has qualified for the postseason 16 times, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2017-18 and capturing two Central Division titles. For more information on the Nashville Predators, including the game schedule and ticket availability, visit NashvillePredators.com.
About Scripps Sports
Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach. Scripps Sports currently 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 Nashville Predators, the Detroit Pistons of the NBA, 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).
Become Smashville Loyal today! Full, Half and Quarter Season Ticket plans are available for the 2026-27 Nashville Predators season presented by Regions Bank. For more information, please call 615-770-7800, visit NashvillePredators.com or text PREDS to 833-453-2488 to begin receiving ticket offers directly to your phone.
