Scripps Channel

Hello, @Markjd. I understand your frustration about losing the Scripps channel and, more importantly, the ability to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning games. This situation is likely due to a combination of factors related to how TV channels are distributed, particularly for local sports broadcasts.

Here is an explanation of why the Scripps channel may have been removed and how it relates to the Lightning games in your area (Venice, FL, which is part of the Tampa Bay television market):

1. Carriage Disputes
The most common reason a channel is removed from a cable lineup is a carriage dispute or the expiration of a contract between the cable provider (us) and the channel owner (Scripps).

- What it is: When the contract to carry a channel expires, the channel owner often asks for higher fees to continue carriage. If we believe the price is too high or cannot reach an agreement, we will stop carrying the channel until a new deal is negotiated.

- Result: The channel is removed from our lineup, which can happen even for channels that carry local sports.

2. Scripps' New Sports Strategy
The Scripps channel you are referring to is likely "The Spot – Tampa Bay 66" (WXPX-TV), which is the new local broadcast home for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

- New Media Deal: The Tampa Bay Lightning recently signed a deal with Scripps Sports to broadcast their games on this local over-the-air (OTA) station. This was a move to make the games more widely available, including to viewers without cable TV, by broadcasting them over the air.

- WXPX-TV / The Spot: This channel is an E.W. Scripps Company-owned station that was rebranded to carry the Lightning games and other programming.

- Cable Negotiations: When a new over-the-air station becomes the home for a major local sports team, the local cable company has to negotiate a new "retransmission consent" agreement to carry that channel. The channel's new value as the exclusive home of the Lightning gives Scripps leverage to demand higher fees, which can lead to a carriage dispute with Xfinity.

In short, the removal of the Scripps channel on Xfinity in the Tampa Bay market (which includes Venice, FL) appears to be part of an ongoing business negotiation—or failure to reach an agreement—between us and the E.W. Scripps Company over the terms to carry the channel.

How to Watch the Tampa Bay Lightning Games Now
The good news is that the new deal was specifically designed to make the games easier to access. Here are your options in the Venice, FL area:

1. Over-the-Air (OTA) Antenna (Free):

- Since "The Spot – Tampa Bay 66" (WXPX-TV) is an over-the-air station, you can receive it for free by using a basic HD antenna connected to your television.

- This is the channel's primary method of distribution and is the most reliable way to watch the games outside of cable or streaming during a carriage dispute.

2. Streaming Service (Paid):

- Scripps and the Lightning also offer a direct-to-consumer streaming option for fans within the broadcast territory (like Venice, FL). This service is available through the official Tampa Bay Lightning app for a seasonal fee.

3. Other Cable Providers:

- The channel is still available on other cable and satellite providers who have reached a carriage agreement with Scripps. You may be able to switch providers, but this often comes with its own set of complications.

The unfortunate truth is that these carriage disputes are a common occurrence in the cable industry, where cable providers aim to keep costs down and channel owners (especially those with exclusive sports content) aim to increase their revenue. Customers like you often get caught in the middle. Please let me know if this helps, though!