Florida Panthers' Final Game Shifts to Local Broadcast as TNT Passes on Coverage

The NHL's shifting media landscape impacts the Panthers' season finale against the Detroit Red Wings.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented hockey game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes representing the shifting dynamics in sports broadcasting.The changing broadcast landscape for NHL games reflects the dynamic and unpredictable nature of modern sports media.Dallas Today

The Florida Panthers' final regular season game against the Detroit Red Wings will now be broadcast locally instead of nationally on TNT, as the network has decided to pass on covering the matchup. This change comes as the Panthers and Red Wings are both on the cusp of the NHL playoffs, adding intrigue to the game. The shift also marks the end of the Red Wings' local broadcast on FanDuel Sports Detroit, with the team set to move to a new network, Detroit SportsNet, next season.

Why it matters

These broadcasting changes reflect the evolving sports media landscape, with ongoing negotiations of media rights and the rise of streaming services impacting how fans consume games. The shift to local coverage for the Panthers' finale raises questions about the balance between local and national sports coverage and the fan experience.

The details

TNT's decision to pass on the Panthers-Red Wings game means the matchup will now be broadcast locally. This comes amid a carriage dispute between the Panthers' broadcast partner, E.G. Scripps, and Comcast Xfinity, which has resulted in the Panthers being unavailable on Xfinity cable. The Red Wings' local broadcast on FanDuel Sports Detroit is also coming to an end, with the team set to move to a new network, Detroit SportsNet, next season.

  • The Panthers' final regular season game is scheduled for next Wednesday.
  • The Red Wings' local broadcast on FanDuel Sports Detroit is ending this season.

The players

Florida Panthers

An NHL team based in Sunrise, Florida, that is on the cusp of the playoffs.

Detroit Red Wings

An NHL team based in Detroit, Michigan, that is also on the verge of the playoffs.

TNT

A national television network that had originally planned to cover the Panthers-Red Wings game but has since decided to pass on the coverage.

E.G. Scripps

The broadcast partner for the Florida Panthers, currently involved in a carriage dispute with Comcast Xfinity.

Comcast Xfinity

A cable provider that is currently not carrying the Florida Panthers' games due to the carriage dispute with E.G. Scripps.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings will face off in their final regular season game next Wednesday, with the game now being broadcast locally instead of nationally on TNT.

The takeaway

The shift in broadcast coverage for the Panthers' final game highlights the ongoing changes in the sports media landscape, with media rights negotiations and the rise of streaming services impacting how fans consume games. This dynamic environment raises questions about the balance between local and national sports coverage and the fan experience.