Get ready, Northeast Florida, because Cox Media Group Jacksonville and the Tampa Bay Lightning just dropped a broadcast bombshell: Action Sports Jax TV is now the team’s official broadcast partner, kicking off this 2026-27 season. This isn’t some small-time deal; we’re talking about all locally distributed regular-season Lightning games, hitting your screens free and clear. It’s a game-changer for hockey fans in the region who want to catch every slap shot and power play without digging into their wallets.
Action Sports Jax TV Is Stacking the Deck
Seriously, Action Sports Jax TV is making moves. This Lightning partnership is just the latest addition to an already loaded lineup that makes WJAX-TV 47.2 one of the most sports-rich, free over-the-air channels in the entire Southeast. They are already the Official Station for the Jacksonville Jaguars, which is huge, and they also carry every single Orlando Magic game under a new multi-year NBA partnership. Think about that for a second: free football, free basketball, and now free hockey. Action Sports Jax TV is about to become *the* destination for sports fans in Northeast Florida when October rolls around and these games start airing. This new agreement means most of your Lightning games, aside from national exclusives, are gonna be right there on WJAX-TV 47.2, with some select matchups even popping up on CBS47 and FOX30. It’s a huge win for access.
More Than Just Games: It’s the Whole Damn Show
This isn’t just about getting the live games, either. This partnership is bringing the full experience to fans. We’re talking pregame and postgame coverage, so you get all the buildup and all the breakdowns. Plus, they’re even broadcasting first-round playoff games, which is massive for getting that full postseason vibe. On top of that, fans can look forward to a weekly 30-minute program from Scripps Sports and other original content designed to really connect the team with the Jacksonville community. Omesh Somaru, VP and General Manager for Cox Media Group, Jacksonville, summed it up perfectly. He said, “We’re always looking for ways to bring more live sports to Northeast Florida for free, and adding Tampa Bay Lightning hockey to Action Sports Jax TV does exactly that.” He’s not wrong. This deal gives fans one more reason to tune in and gives local businesses a fresh way to connect with some seriously engaged audiences.
So, what’s next? We are still waiting on the full game schedules, specific coverage plans, and programming details, which will all drop before the 2026-27 season officially kicks off. But if you are a Tampa Bay Lightning fan in Northeast Florida, get ready. Your team is about to be more accessible than ever before, bringing all the on-ice action right to your living room, completely free.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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