Sun Sports TV's complete Lightning broadcast schedule

by John Fontana on Sep 9, 2011 11:48 AM EDT in Media

Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Sun Sports TV announced the 2011-12 broadcast schedule for the Bolts. The team will air on Sun Sports 68 times this season, Paired up with the national exposure through Versus / NBC Sports Net and the NHL Network, the Lightning will have 79 of 82 games televised this season.

The complete schedule and team press release is below the jump.

SUN SPORTS AND THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING UNVEIL 68-GAME TELECAST SCHEDULE

All games scheduled in HD!

Rick Peckham, Bobby "The Chief" Taylor and Paul Kennedy Will Provide Expert Commentary and Analysis

TAMPA BAY – Sun Sports and the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning have announced the team’s 68-game regional telecast schedule for the 2011-12 season. As the exclusive regional television home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sun Sports will air all 68 match-ups throughout North Florida in HD.

After a wild run to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, the Tampa Bay Lightning return much of the 2010-11 team, including veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson and offensive sensation Steven Stamkos. Sun Sports will air the season’s most exciting games, beginning with the season opener at the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 7 at 7:00 p.m. (ET). The network then travels with the team to Boston as the Bolts take on the defending Stanley Cup Champions on Oct. 8 at 7:00 p.m. (ET). Sun Sports will bring viewers two additional matchups with the Bruins as the Lightning look to avenge last year’s playoff loss. The Lightning will host Boston on Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) and on March 13 at 7:30 p.m.

In addition, Sun Sports will air the team’s home opener, an Oct. 17 game vs. the intrastate division rival Florida Panthers at 7:30 p.m. (ET). The network will also televise three high powered matchups versus the Southeast Division Champion Capitals, who the Lightning defeated in four games during last season’s Conference Semifinal. Tampa Bay will travel to Washington on Jan. 13 at 7:00 p.m. (ET), the Capitals will come to the St. Pete Times Forum on Feb. 18 at 7:00 p.m. (ET) and the Lightning will head back to DC on March 8 at 7:00 p.m. (ET).

Sun Sports will also air all four regular season matchups vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. The teams will first meet in Tampa on Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. (ET). The Lightning will host again on Jan. 15 at 1:00 p.m. (ET), before traveling to Pittsburgh on Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m. (ET) and on Feb. 25 at 1:00 p.m. (ET).

Play-by-play announcer Rick Peckham and analyst Bobby "The Chief" Taylor will provide viewers with expert commentary. Lightning rinkside reporter Paul Kennedy will also return. He brings his magnetic personality and host of knowledge to LIGHTNING LIVE, Sun Sports’ pregame show for home games, and extended postgame show for all telecasts.

In addition, Sun Sports will bring fans seven all-new episodes of the popular INSIDE THE LIGHTNING series, designed to provide exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the team, its players and operations. The TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING PRESEASON SPECIAL will premiere on Sun Sports on Oct. 3 at 8:00 p.m. (ET).

The network’s website, FOXSportsFlorida.com, will consistently engage fans throughout the 2011-12 season with exclusive videos, expert analysis, pre and postgame coverage and photo galleries. Fans will also be able to interact on the network’s Facebook page, Sun Sports / FOX Sports Florida, and Twitter platform, SunSportsFOXFL.

TELECAST SCHEDULE FOLLOWS:


DAY	DATE	ET	@/vs		OPPONENT		RSN
Fri	7-Oct-11	7:00 PM	@		Carolina Hurricanes		SUN
Sat	8-Oct-11	7:00 PM	@		Boston Bruins		SUN
Thu	13-Oct-11	7:00 PM	@		New York Islanders		SUN
Sat	15-Oct-11	7:30 PM	@		Florida Panthers		SUN
Mon	17-Oct-11	7:30 PM	vs		Florida Panthers		SUN
Thu	20-Oct-11	7:30 PM	vs		New York Islanders		SUN
Sat	22-Oct-11	7:00 PM	vs		Buffalo Sabres		SUN
Thu	27-Oct-11	8:00 PM	@		Nashville Predators		SUN
Tue	1-Nov-11	7:00 PM	@		Carolina Hurricanes		SUN
Fri	4-Nov-11	7:30 PM	vs		Chicago Blackhawks		SUN
Sun	6-Nov-11	5:00 PM	@		Florida Panthers		SUN
Sat	12-Nov-11	8:00 PM	@		St. Louis Blues		SUN
Mon	14-Nov-11	8:30 PM	@		Winnipeg Jets		SUN
Thu	17-Nov-11	7:30 PM	vs		Pittsburgh Penguins		SUN
Tue	22-Nov-11	7:30 PM	vs		Toronto Maple Leafs		SUN
Fri	25-Nov-11	7:30 PM	@		Florida Panthers		SUN
Sat	26-Nov-11	7:00 PM	vs		Florida Panthers		SUN
Sat	3-Dec-11	7:00 PM	vs		New York Rangers		SUN
Mon	5-Dec-11	7:30 PM	@		Ottawa Senators		SUN
Tue	6-Dec-11	7:00 PM	@		New York Islanders		SUN
Thu	8-Dec-11	7:00 PM	@		New York Rangers		SUN
Sat	10-Dec-11	7:00 PM	@		Philadelphia Flyers		SUN
Thu	15-Dec-11	7:30 PM	vs		Calgary Flames		SUN
Sat	17-Dec-11	7:00 PM	@		Columbus Blue Jackets		SUN
Wed	21-Dec-11	10:30 PM	@		San Jose Sharks		SUN
Fri	23-Dec-11	9:00 PM	@		Colorado Avalanche		SUN
Tue	27-Dec-11	7:30 PM	vs		Philadelphia Flyers		SUN
Thu	29-Dec-11	7:30 PM	vs		Montreal Canadiens		SUN
Sat	31-Dec-11	5:00 PM	vs		Carolina Hurricanes		SUN
Tue	3-Jan-12	7:00 PM	@		Toronto Maple Leafs		SUN
Thu	5-Jan-12	7:30 PM	@	Ottawa Senators		SUN
Sat	7-Jan-12	7:00 PM	@	Montreal Canadiens		SUN
Tue	10-Jan-12	7:30 PM	vs	Vancouver Canucks		SUN
Thu	12-Jan-12	7:30 PM	vs	Carolina Hurricanes		SUN
Fri	13-Jan-12	7:00 PM	@	Washington Capitals		SUN
Sun	15-Jan-12	1:00 PM	vs	Pittsburgh Penguins		SUN
Tue	17-Jan-12	7:30 PM	vs	Boston Bruins		SUN
Fri	20-Jan-12	8:30 PM	@	Dallas Stars		SUN
Sat	21-Jan-12	8:00 PM	@	Phoenix Coyotes		SUN
Tue	24-Jan-12	7:30 PM	vs	Columbus Blue Jackets		SUN
Thu	2-Feb-12	7:30 PM	vs	Winnipeg Jets		SUN
Sat	4-Feb-12	7:00 PM	vs	Florida Panthers		SUN
Thu	9-Feb-12	7:30 PM	@	New York Rangers		SUN
Sat	11-Feb-12	7:00 PM	@	Buffalo Sabres		SUN
Sun	12-Feb-12	7:00 PM	@	Pittsburgh Penguins		SUN
Tue	14-Feb-12	7:00 PM	vs	Ottawa Senators		SUN
Thu	16-Feb-12	7:30 PM	vs	San Jose Sharks		SUN
Sat	18-Feb-12	7:00 PM	vs	Washington Capitals		SUN
Tue	21-Feb-12	7:30 PM	vs	Anaheim Ducks		SUN
Thu	23-Feb-12	8:30 PM	@	Winnipeg Jets		SUN
Sat	25-Feb-12	1:00 PM	@	Pittsburgh Penguins		SUN
Sun	26-Feb-12	1:00 PM	@	New Jersey Devils		SUN
Tue	28-Feb-12	7:30 PM	vs	Montreal Canadiens		SUN
Fri	2-Mar-12	7:30 PM	vs	New York Rangers		SUN
Sat	3-Mar-12	7:00 PM	@	Carolina Hurricanes		SUN
Tue	6-Mar-12	7:30 PM	vs	Ottawa Senators		SUN
Thu	8-Mar-12	7:00 PM	@	Washington Capitals		SUN
Sat	10-Mar-12	7:00 PM	vs	Carolina Hurricanes		SUN
Tue	13-Mar-12	7:30 PM	vs	Boston Bruins		SUN
Thu	15-Mar-12	7:30 PM	vs	Toronto Maple Leafs		SUN
Sat	17-Mar-12	7:00 PM	vs	St. Louis Blues		SUN
Mon	19-Mar-12	7:30 PM	vs	Buffalo Sabres		SUN
Thu	22-Mar-12	7:30 PM	vs	Edmonton Oilers		SUN
Sat	24-Mar-12	7:00 PM	vs	New York Islanders		SUN
Thu	29-Mar-12	7:00 PM	@	New Jersey Devils		SUN
Sat	31-Mar-12	7:00 PM	vs	Winnipeg Jets		SUN
Wed	4-Apr-12	7:30 PM	@	Montreal Canadiens		SUN
Thu	5-Apr-12	7:00 PM	@	Toronto Maple Leafs		SUN

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Comments

Broadcast schedule

They seriously can’t make sure every game is on t.v? All games but three and they are usually out of town games you can’t attend.

by John.George on Sep 9, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

The tv agreements that the home team makes take precedence. If, say, the Lightning are playing the Maple Leafs in Toronto, then their broadcasters get to decide how widespread the game will be. Some have exclusive agreements that black out all broadcasts but theirs – and there’s not a lot the Lightning can do about that. Broadcast agreements aren’t usually about letting both teams fan bases get to see the game. After all, how can a Canadian broadcaster make any money from a game being shown in the US?

It’s not at all fair, and doesn’t always make sense, but it’s outside of the Lightning’s control. Just as it’s also out of their control what SunSports is going to do. Or what NBC will do. That’s life, unfortunately.

"You don't have enough talent to win on talent alone." -Herb Brooks

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Sep 9, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Due respect, but this isn’t even close to how it works. When a game is being broadcast regionally by both teams, they’re allowed to broadcast to the territory that’s been given to them by the NHL. Each team has a regional broadcast territory. Whether a game is shown to all, some or none of that territory is up to that particular team (not the “home” team) and the broadcaster(s) involved.

If the Lightning and Sun Sports wanted every single game televised (other than the national ones that go to Versus and/or NBC), they could make it happen no matter what the Maple Leafs, Bruins, Capitals or anyone else have to say about it.

The home team has zero say about whether there will or won’t be a broadcast of the game in the visiting team’s market.

by dzuunmod on Sep 19, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

More info:

Sportsnet has an FAQ that might help you understand how it works here. It’s for Canadian teams, yes, but it’s the same rules that govern regional NHL broadcasters in the US.

For instance, here is a PDF showing which teams get which broadcast territory in Ontario. Those territories are determined by the NHL, not by the “home” team on a game-by-game basis.

Say the Maple Leafs are playing in Ottawa, and say the game is carried by Leafs TV for the Leafs, and Rogers Sportsnet East for the Senators. What happens then is that everyone in Ontario will get to see the game, but people who’re in Leafs territory will get the Leafs TV Toronto broadcast, people in the Ottawa territory will get the Sportsnet East broadcast, and people on the fringes of both will get the option of both broadcasts.

by dzuunmod on Sep 19, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m actually impressed with 79/81—that’s a far cry from what it was when I first started following the team. It’s really not bad when you consider we are not what some would call a “traditional market.”

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 9, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Slightly OT: What's the deal??????

OK… I’ve been looking and looking.. for the life of me, can NOT find an actual schedule for the rookie camp this weekend. The only thing I’ve found even close on TBL.com all say times “TBA” ….Ummm, Bolts web guy/gal… that means “To Be Announced”.. which you have NOT done.

I know this does not seem like that big of a deal but this should be information that any Lightning fan should have NO trouble finding. Could be part of a bigger problem? I sure friggin’ hope not. We are the fans and we need INFORMATION!! Twitter page says to “check timeline” for times, unless I’m seriously missing something, don’t see it anywhere!! However, did find the exact thing I’m looking for on TBL.com but from 2009, soooooo, not much help. Either close it to the public or give us some actual details. Sheesh.

And… even more OT, why is their never any contests or appearences scheduled for the Pinellas County/St. Petersburg area?? Plenty of Bolts fans ‘round here, that want to participate as well, besides just driving to games during the season. Guess that’s a whole other story though.

Sorry for the misplaced venting, just figured if anyone can help me, it’s our RawCharge faithful. Thanks!

When it comes to Osgood, I agree with D-Mac 100%.. (http://youtu.be/_BJCxdkoIxc) I'm sure the same goes for Drapes. R.I.P. Grind Line!

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Sep 9, 2011 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

Friday, September 9th
Group 1
8:00-9:00 am Player Medicals
9:00-10:30 am Off-Ice Testing (Lightning Weight Room)
10:30-11:30 am Media Availability
3:00-4:30 pm Practice

Group 2
9:00-10:00 am Player Medicals
10:15-11:45 am Off-Ice Testing (Lightning Weight Room)
11:45 am-12:45 pm Media Availability
3:00-4:30 pm Practice

Saturday, September 10th
9:00 am Off-Ice Workout
10:30 am-12:45 pm Practice

Sunday, September 11th
9:00-9:45 am Practice