Scott Hanson has confirmed he will be retained as host of NFL RedZone after ESPN’s new billion-dollar deal acquired the show and sparked a fan meltdown that the iconic broadcaster may now longer be the property’s presenter.
Hanson confirmed the news, promising to continue to be the narrator for seven hours of live football every Sunday during the regular season.
RedZone shows live highlights from every NFL game as they happen, allowing fans to not channel surf and see all the major plays from the gridiron in one medium.
Although changes to the presentation may happen under the ESPN banner, losing Hanson was a step too far for some, with a massive sigh of relief coming from NFL fans.
‘It’s official. (& for those wondering: yes, I will still be hosting RedZone.) Fired up for a great season! Optimistic about this new partnership! (& I get to call @AdamSchefter “colleague” for the 2nd time in my career… nice bonus!),’ Hanson said on X.
Schefter, the NFL’s chief news-breaker, replied, ‘My honor.’
Scott Hanson has confirmed he will be retained as host of NFL RedZone after ESPN’s deal
RedZone is moving to ESPN after the sports-programming network acquired the iconic show
Still a little up in the air with the move to ESPN is whether RedZone will stay commercial free, which would be a first for the sports programming network.
Hanson did not comment on that on his post, drawing the ire of some fans. RedZone was on its own channel for cable packages, allowing the need for no ads.
‘If there’s commercials I’m taking my talents to StreamEast,’ one NFL fan said.
The first edition of RedZone under the NFL banner takes place in a little over a month, with beloved fans of Hanson and the format waiting for any word on if there will be changes after ESPN’s monster deal.
As part of the non-binding deal in acquiring the NFL Network, RedZone, and other properties incluidng NFL Fantasy, the NFL now owns a 10% stake in ESPN. An additional three NFL games will be licensed by ESPN to air on NFL Network this season as part of the deal.
The NFL will continue to own and operate its retained businesses including NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST Channel, and the official sites for the league’s 32 teams.
‘Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,’ said Robert A. Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, via news release.
‘Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.’
