Fresh off their Stanley Cup victory, the Florida Panthers are gearing up for the upcoming season with some exciting new broadcast partnerships. In addition to a new local broadcaster, the Panthers have teamed up with ViewLift to launch a direct-to-consumer streaming platform in time for the 2024-25 NHL season. This service will allow Panthers fans in the South Florida region to stream live games, as well as access team-related content on mobile devices, connected TVs, and the web.
This new streaming service follows the Panthers’ recent local broadcast agreement with Scripps Sports, ending their nearly 30-year relationship with Bally Sports Florida. Under the new deal, Panthers games not shown on national TV will be broadcast on Scripps affiliate stations WSFL-TV (Ch. 39) in Miami/Fort Lauderdale and WHDT-TV (Ch. 9) in West Palm Beach, with a Fort Myers affiliate yet to be announced.
With a shorter offseason due to their extended playoff run, the Panthers are racing to prepare everything for the new season. “We’re in a bit of a sprint to get to Opening Night,” said Mark Zarthar, the team’s chief strategy officer. He expressed confidence in ViewLift’s ability to quickly and effectively launch the platform, citing the company’s flexibility and innovation as key factors in their decision.
New York-based ViewLift, which has previously worked with the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals, brings a wealth of experience in the streaming space. The company’s CEO, Rick Allen, highlighted their understanding of both digital and linear TV, emphasizing the importance of digital platforms complementing traditional broadcasts.
The Panthers are particularly excited about the real-time data capabilities of the new platform, which will enable the team to enhance the fan viewing experience. “What makes direct-to-consumer so exciting for these teams is the data that they, for the first time, will have on their fans,” Allen noted. This data will allow the Panthers to gain a deeper understanding of their audience and tailor content to better meet fans’ needs.
In addition to live games, the streaming platform will host the Panthers’ weekly TV show, game replays, classic games, and exclusive digital content. Zarthar explained that this will provide a central hub for long-form content that may not have been easily accessible elsewhere, giving fans a convenient way to catch up on everything Panthers-related.
The Panthers’ move away from the regional sports channel model follows a broader trend among pro sports teams, with many cutting ties with Diamond Sports Group (DSG). The Panthers are the fourth NHL team to leave the DSG umbrella since 2023, joining the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans. Notably, Florida is also the second consecutive Stanley Cup champion to sign with Scripps, following the Golden Knights in 2023.
Meanwhile, DSG recently struck a deal with Comcast to bring its channels back to the cable provider after a prolonged blackout, though only on the more expensive Ultimate TV tier. However, DSG has yet to return to Altice customers, with their agreement expiring on July 1. A confirmation hearing for Diamond’s reorganization plans, initially scheduled for July 29, remains unscheduled.
