Tampa Bay Lightning, Sun Sports Announce 2012-13 Local Broadcast Schedule

The Tampa Bay Lightning and FOX’s Sun Sports announced the team’s local broadcast television schedule for the 2013 season today. In total, Lightning games will be featured 43 times on the FOX Sports Florida family of networks. Sun Sports, the regional television home of the Lightning, will broadcast 37 games, while FOX Sports Florida will serve as the home for six games in April.

Sun Sports is scheduled to air the majority of the Lightning’s 20th Anniversary season, beginning with a special one-hour Lightning LIVE pregame show at 6:00 p.m. ET, before the season opener vs. the Washington Capitals on Saturday, January 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Play-by-play announcer Rick Peckham and color analyst Bobby “The Chief” Taylor will provide viewers with expert commentary throughout the season. Lightning analysts Paul Kennedy, Dave Andreychuk and Chris Dingman will also return to join the broadcasts as the hosts of LIGHTNING LIVE, Sun Sports’ pregame show for home and road games, and extended postgame show for all telecasts.

Sun Sports’ Lightning telecasts this season will feature an exciting new addition for viewers. All Lightning pre-and post-game shows for away games will originate from the FOX Sports Studio in Fort Lauderdale.

The popular INSIDE THE LIGHTNING series returns and will feature player profiles and episodes offering behind-the-scenes access to other aspects of the team and its operations -- all designed to bring the fans closer to their favorite team. There are three new episodes tentatively scheduled to air throughout the upcoming season.