How to Watch the Nashville Predators 2026-27 Season on DIRECTV: The Spot, Streaming and Channels
Watching the Predators looks different this season. Under a new multi-year deal with Scripps Sports, 85 Predators games (four preseason and 81 regular-season games) air on The Spot – Nashville 28 (WNPX), a free broadcast channel. Games also reach eight more markets in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia, including Atlanta, where FOX 5 carries most games on a digital subchannel. The season opens Thursday, October 1, at Bridgestone Arena against the Minnesota Wild.
If you watched on a regional sports network last season, as covered in our 2025-26 Predators guide, here's what's changed for 2026-27 and how DIRECTV customers can keep watching.
Predators season opener
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Game | Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators |
| Date | Thursday, October 1, 2026 |
| Time | 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET) |
| Arena | Bridgestone Arena, Nashville |
| TV | The Spot – Nashville 28, with a special one-hour Predators Pregame Show |
| Streaming | Nashville Predators app and PredsTV.com (subscription) |
Where Predators games air in 2026-27
| Market | Station | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville (flagship) | The Spot – Nashville 28 (WNPX) | 28 |
| Nashville (select simulcasts) | NewsChannel 5 (WTVF) | 5 |
| Memphis, Tenn. | WMC | 5.3 |
| Knoxville, Tenn. | WVLT | 8.2 |
| Chattanooga, Tenn. | WTVL | 49.2 |
| Jackson, Tenn. | WBBJ | 7.5 |
| Louisville, Ky. | WDRB | 41.2 |
| Lexington, Ky. | WTVQ | 36.2 |
| Huntsville, Ala. | WAFF | 48.3 |
| Atlanta, Ga. | WAGA (FOX 5) | 5.3 for most games; select games on 5.1 |
At least four games will be simulcast on NewsChannel 5 in Nashville. Every broadcast includes 30-minute pregame and postgame shows, and the TV crew returns: Willy Daunic, Chris Mason, Hal Gill, Lyndsay Rowley and Kara Hammer.
How to watch the Predators with DIRECTV
Find The Spot in your DIRECTV guide
The Predators say The Spot – Nashville 28 is carried by cable and satellite providers serving the team's territory. The team hasn't published a DIRECTV channel number, so search your guide for "The Spot" or "WNPX" in the Nashville market. DIRECTV includes local channels with its core packages where available. If you don't see it, our guide to local channels on DIRECTV can help.
Add an antenna for the regional stations
Outside Nashville, most games air on digital subchannels such as 5.3 or 8.2, and those are easiest to get over the air. A basic indoor or rooftop antenna connected to your TV works alongside DIRECTV, so you can switch inputs for the game. See our antenna buying tips.
Stream on the Predators app
The team's streaming service, built with ViewLift, is in the Nashville Predators app and at PredsTV.com. A season plan costs $74 and includes 81 regular-season games, four preseason games, replays and exclusive content. The app runs on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.
Questions about local channels in Middle Tennessee? Call 1-855-690-9884.
National games and out-of-market viewing
- National exclusives: the team lists three games, Nov. 5 at Colorado, Nov. 10 at Los Angeles and Jan. 5 at Edmonton, as national streaming exclusives on ESPN's platform, so they won't air on The Spot.
- National channels on DIRECTV: ESPN (206), ESPN2 (209), TNT (245) and truTV (246) come with ENTERTAINMENT and higher. NHL Network (215) comes with ULTIMATE and higher. See our 2026-27 NHL season guide and opening night guide.
- Outside the Predators' territory: the team points out-of-market fans to NHL Center Ice through their TV provider.
Extra Predators programming
A new weekly behind-the-scenes Predators show premieres Friday, October 2, at 6:30 p.m. CT on NewsChannel 5, with new episodes each Friday and replays on The Spot – Nashville 28.
Shopping for TV in Middle Tennessee? Compare DIRECTV packages in Nashville, check availability at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel are Predators games on in 2026-27?
The Spot – Nashville 28 (WNPX) is the flagship, with regional stations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, Louisville, Lexington, Huntsville and Atlanta.
Are Predators games free to watch?
Yes, over the air. The Spot is a free broadcast channel you can get with an antenna, and it's also carried by cable and satellite providers in the team's territory.
Is The Spot on DIRECTV?
The team says satellite providers serving its territory carry The Spot, but it hasn't listed a DIRECTV channel number. Nashville-area customers should search their guide for WNPX or The Spot.
How much is the Predators streaming service?
$74 for a season plan, covering 81 regular-season games, four preseason games and replays.
When is the Predators' first game?
Thursday, October 1, at 7 p.m. CT against the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena, on The Spot – Nashville 28.
Hockey questions? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed September 30, 2026. Station lineups, channel numbers, streaming prices and carriage may change. Check your local guide for current listings. NHL, Nashville Predators, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.