The Florida Panthers, fresh off their Stanley Cup victory, have announced a new partnership with ViewLift to develop a direct-to-consumer streaming platform for the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season. This service will allow Panthers fans in South Florida to stream live games broadcast by Scripps Sports and access team-related content through mobile devices, connected TVs, and the web.
This streaming partnership follows the Panthers’ recent local broadcast agreement with Scripps Sports after nearly 30 years with Bally Sports Florida. Under the new deal, games not aired on national television will be shown on Scripps’ affiliate stations WSFL-TV in Miami/Fort Lauderdale and WHDT-TV in West Palm Beach, with a Fort Myers affiliate yet to be announced.
Mark Zarthar, the Panthers’ chief strategy officer, emphasized the urgency of preparing for the new season due to their shortened offseason. He highlighted ViewLift’s ability to move quickly and innovate, which made the company an ideal partner for the Panthers.
ViewLift, based in New York, has previously worked with teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals on similar streaming projects. CEO Rick Allen mentioned that their expertise in both digital and linear TV allows them to create complementary solutions for their clients. The Panthers’ streaming platform will also offer real-time data to help the team enhance the fan viewing experience.
In addition to live games, the platform will host the Panthers’ weekly TV show, game replays, classic games, and other digital content. Zarthar noted that this will provide fans with a central hub for all Panthers content, especially long-form material that may have been difficult to access previously.
The Panthers are among several professional sports teams moving away from the regional sports channel model, with many, including the NHL’s Florida Panthers and NBA’s Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans, cutting ties with Diamond Sports Group. Florida is also the second consecutive Stanley Cup champion to partner with Scripps, following the Golden Knights in 2023.
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