SCOTT Hanson has confirmed that NFL RedZone will have commercials this season.
The fan-favorite broadcast will have its “seven hours of commercial-free football” catchphrase resigned to history after the news that fans will have to watch advertisements.
Scott Hanson has confirmed that NFL RedZone will have commercials this season[/caption]
Hanson, who has been hosting RedZone since its inaugural season in 2009, revealed on The Pat McAfee Show that he will now start the day by saying: “seven hours of RedZone football starts now”.
The iconic sportscaster also hinted that adding commercials to the broadcast would not have been his preference, adding: “The business folks handle the business.
“And I have no say over different elements that could or could not be in the show.”
However, Hanson assured fans they won’t miss any of the action and that commercials would not interfere with showing every significant moment on Sundays.
He said: “We are not going to sacrifice any great football for the business side of things”.
According to The Athletic, the commercials will come in a ‘double box’ format, with the ad in one box and the game in the other.
The audio heard on the broadcast will be of the ad and not the football.
An NFL Spokesperson has confirmed that the changes are not due to ESPN’s purchase of the show.
NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
(All times ET)
Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
1pm – Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1pm – New York Giants at Washington Commanders
1pm – Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
4.05 pm – Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
4.05 pm – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
A statement read: “The team and league work very hard to find a balance that supports the show’s partners and fans.
“This move has been contemplated and tested for over a year now, and is completely unrelated to the recent news regarding ESPN and the NFL.
“The NFL will continue to own and operate NFL RedZone should that deal be finalized.”
Despite the reassurances of viewers being able to watch every big moment, many NFL fans have been left fuming with the decision to add commercials to the show.
Taking to social media, one wrote: “The NFL has been ruined”.
While another added: “And like that I cancelled RedZone. We had a good ride.”
A third posted: “Say it ain’t so, Scott.”
And a fourth commented: “Someone kindly point me immediately to the people responsible for making this decision. Immediately.”
NFL Media trialled the use of commercials on a RedZone broadcast last season.
