{"id":534136,"date":"2026-04-01T05:20:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T05:20:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/534136\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T05:20:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T05:20:19","slug":"comcast-xfinity-pulls-plug-on-florida-panthers-in-the-middle-of-a-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/534136\/","title":{"rendered":"Comcast Xfinity Pulls Plug on Florida Panthers. In the Middle of a Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the first period of Tuesday\u2019s eventual 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators<\/a>, the Florida Panthers sent out a statement that Comcast Xfinity was pulling Scripps channels from its lineup due to a carriage dispute.<\/p>\n

Yet fans around South Florida commented that they were watching the game on their cable provider as usual.<\/p>\n

Until they were not.<\/p>\n

Xfinity, which owns such small companies such as NBC Universal, Peacock, and the NHL\u2019s Philadelphia Flyers, pulled the channel in the second period on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

Fans, understandably, were not thrilled.<\/p>\n

The Comcast Xfinity dispute with Scripps \u2014 which broadcasts the Panthers on Ch. 39 in the Miami\/Fort Lauderdale market and Ch. 9 in West Palm \u2014 was not limited to South Florida.<\/p>\n

Scripps owns over 60 stations across 40 markets like WSFL-39, all pulled off the air.<\/p>\n

Some NBC affiliates were also affected. Which, makes no sense.<\/p>\n

It also affected ABC, CBS, and Fox affiliates that Scripps owns around the country.<\/p>\n

Which is of no solace to Panthers fans who rely on the cable service.<\/p>\n

From the Panthers:\u00a0Due to a carriage dispute, Comcast has dropped coverage of Scripps TV stations, including the Panthers broadcast channels. As a result, tonight\u2019s Panthers game will not be broadcast on Comcast in Miami Dade, Broward and West Palm Beach. In those counties, Panthers games can be found over the air, on other cable and satellite providers and on the Panthers Plus app.<\/p>\n

If you are experiencing this blackout, please contact Comcast at 1-800-934-6489 and ask them to return your Panthers programming.<\/p>\n

Due to a carriage dispute, Comcast has dropped coverage of Scripps TV stations, including the Panthers broadcast channels. As a result, tonight\u2019s Panthers game will not be broadcast on Comcast in Miami Dade, Broward and West Palm Beach. In those counties, Panthers games can be\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

With the instability of the regional sports networks (RSNs), the Panthers left their longtime home of Bally Sports (also known as Fox Sports) Florida before the 2024-25 season to offer the games free on over-the-air channels<\/a> such as 39, 9, and digital 36.3 on the Gulf Coast.<\/p>\n

For those who do not have a carrier that supplies these channels \u2014 YouTube TV is one of the biggest \u2014 an over-the-air antenna can pull them in.<\/p>\n

The Panthers also offer a subscription streaming service called Panthers+<\/a> which costs $70 for the entire season and is being offered now for a deep discount for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.<\/p>\n

It can only be accessed in the \u2018local\u2019 market, one that stretches up the two coasts to Melbourne on the east and north of Fort Myers on the west\u00a0(you can find out if you are included with the team\u2019s zip code finder HERE<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Confusing? Sure.<\/p>\n

But get used to it.<\/p>\n

With the collapse of local RSNs, the Marlins, Rays, and Lightning have followed the Panthers model \u2014 with only the Lightning offering games on a local channel<\/a> that can be accessed with an antenna.<\/p>\n

The Marlins and Rays will offer a handful of games on local over-the-air channels throughout the season.<\/p>\n

The Miami Heat will likely be next with FanDuel Sun on its last legs along with the rest of the Main Street Sports family of RSNs.<\/p>\n

The Anaheim Angels bought FanDuel West<\/a> to keep their games going on traditional cable.<\/p>\n

The Marlins and Rays started their own television channel this season through MLB that is carried by some providers such as Comcast (really), DirecTV, and more.<\/p>\n

For many who live in Florida, the only way to watch the Marlins or Rays is through a streaming subscription akin to Panthers+ and TBLightning.tv.<\/p>\n

These carriage disputes usually end but perhaps not before the Panthers play host to the Boston Bruins on Thursday \u2014 or play a weird doubleheader this weekend in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

So, start streaming, or head to Walmart and get an antenna.<\/p>\n

Amazon may even deliver one by Thursday morning.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

ON DECK: GAME No. 75
\nBOSTON BRUINS at FLORIDA PANTHERS<\/p>\n

\"Get<\/a><\/p>\n

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