Florida Panthers fans in the team’s home TV market no longer need a cable plan to watch most games during the 2024-2025 NHL season.
The Panthers moved their local broadcasts to Scripps Sports, increasing accessibility for more fans than ever before.
Florida Panthers games are now available for free on three local UHF stations, so you just need a TV antenna instead of a paid-TV subscription. You can also use the Panthers+ streaming app, which is free as well.
Also part of the deal: games on basic cable and satellite. Panthers games will now reach 2,625,000 total households across the three markets: Miami/Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Fort Myers.
For the 2024-2025 NHL season, Florida Panthers fans have several options to watch their team’s games, thanks to the new broadcasting partnership with Scripps Sports.
Watch Florida Panthers Free on a TV Antenna with Over-the-Air (OTA) Stations
The Panthers’ games will be available on free, over-the-air broadcast channels in several key markets:
- Miami/Fort Lauderdale: WSFL, channel 39 — UHF — Independent
- Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast: South Florida’s 9 (WHDT) — UHF — Independent
- Fort Myers: WFTX, channel 36.3 — FOX 4 — UHF
The team will also distribute its locally produced games on linear television in collaboration with Scripps Sports. Those 70 games will be available over the air and by cable from Key West to the Treasure Coast and in Ft. Myers.
If you live within 20 miles or less of these TV stations, you can probably use an indoor leaf-style antenna from Mohu or Antennas Direct. You will want a medium-gain indoor TV antenna.
An outdoor TV antenna on your roof or in your attic will provide the best reception.
Gain refers to an antenna’s ability to amplify signals, typically ranging from 5 to 15 dB. Look for antennas in this range when shopping. Avoid low-gain antennas like bunny ears.
Panthers Plus
The Panthers have launched Panthers Plus, a new streaming app for in-market fans. With Panthers Plus, fans can watch 70 live, locally produced games of the defending Stanley Cup champions.
The Season Pass costs $69.99 for the entire season. It includes 70 live games and any first-round playoff games if the Panthers qualify.
The streaming service is available only within the Panthers’ designated broadcast territory. This includes areas from Key West to the Treasure Coast and Fort Myers.
Games shown exclusively on national television through ESPN, ESPN+, or TNT are not available on Panthers Plus.
“Primetime Panthers,” a new weekly show, will air every Wednesday throughout the season. It features hockey highlights, community stories, and more. You can watch it on WSFL and across the Panthers’ Scripps Sports network.
The Panthers Plus app is available on web browsers, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV. Additional platforms, including Android, Samsung TV, and LG TV, will be added soon by ViewLift, the Panthers’ digital partner.
Broadcast Team
The Panthers will retain their current broadcast team:
- Steve Goldstein: Play-by-play
- Randy Moller: Color analyst
- Katie Engleson: Rinkside reporter
- Jessica Blaylock: Intermission and pre/post-game host
- Ed Jovanovski: Analyst
It’s worth noting that while most local games will be covered by this new arrangement, some games may still be exclusively broadcast on national networks like ESPN, TNT, or ABC, depending on the NHL’s national broadcast schedule.
Out-of-Market Panthers Fans
Fans outside the market need to subscribe to ESPN+ to watch Panthers games. A subscription costs $10.99 per month. Nationally broadcast games will air on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and SportsNet in Canada.
Subscribers can watch ESPN+ through the ESPN app across supported Smart TVs and major streaming devices such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
It’s worth noting that while most local games will be covered by this new arrangement, some games may still be exclusively broadcast on national networks like ESPN, TNT, or ABC, depending on the NHL’s national broadcast schedule.
