NFL RedZone Introduces Ads for the First Time This Season

The NFL RedZone Channel will feature advertisements for the first time this season, ending its long-standing tradition of offering seven hours of commercial-free football. The channel will continue to provide live NFL action from the early- and late-afternoon games on Sundays, starting at 1 p.m. EDT. However, viewers should expect regular ad breaks during the programming.

Scott Hanson, the host of NFL RedZone since its launch in 2009, expressed optimism about the change during a recent interview. “I hope everyone watches and they’ll still have the same RedZone feels that they’ve had for 16 years,” he stated. Despite the introduction of ads, the NFL anticipates that the viewer experience will remain largely unaffected since most advertisements will run during commercial breaks or halftime.

The network plans to air approximately one minute of ads, consisting of four 15-second increments, on Sundays. This could expand to two minutes later in the season. The ads will occupy a small fraction of the broadcast time, ranging from 0.25% to 0.5% of the total airtime. Notably, the ads will be presented in a “double box” format, allowing viewers to watch the game simultaneously while ads appear on one portion of the screen.

This format is not entirely new to sports broadcasts. Auto racing and golf have utilized similar techniques to ensure that audiences do not miss critical moments. Viewers will, however, experience a difference as the audio from the game will be replaced by the sound of the advertisements.

Last year, the NFL conducted limited testing of the “double box” format, receiving minimal negative feedback during focus groups and social media monitoring. Despite the changes, NFL RedZone will remain owned and operated by NFL Media, even as it may eventually be integrated into the ESPN app.

Since its inception, NFL RedZone has become a staple for football fans, offering a unique viewing experience that focuses on live game action. Prior to RedZone’s launch, DirecTV operated its own version, hosted by Andrew Siciliano, from 2005 to 2022. In 2023, YouTube TV took over the Sunday Ticket package, making NFL RedZone available to over 50 million households through various television and streaming platforms.

As the NFL prepares for what is expected to be an exciting season, Hanson remains enthusiastic about delivering football to fans. “There is no one on the planet who wants to show people more football than I do,” he said. With NFL RedZone entering a new era, viewers can look forward to a blend of thrilling game action and advertisements.