Scott Hanson says RedZone commercial messaging was unclear after fan backlash
Host says he had no role in adding limited ads to the pay channel and that initial communication should have been clearer; some viewers later reported they barely noticed the spots.
Scott Hanson, longtime host of "NFL RedZone," acknowledged that the network's messaging about the addition of commercials to the show was unclear after fans reacted angrily to the change.
The NFL Network announced that "RedZone" would include advertising for the first time heading into the 2025-26 season, and Hanson said the way that information was communicated contributed to the backlash. He broke the news on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show" prior to Week 1 and later told Fox News Digital that he understood the audience's frustration.
Hanson said he wished the network had been more explicit about the scope of the advertisements, explaining that commercials will be limited in number and duration. "I would have hoped that the messaging could have been a little different in advance. Meaning I think we should have just come out and said, ‘Hey, yes, there are going to be commercials. There are going to be four, 15-second commercials spread out over the course of seven hours and we hope you don’t notice any difference, or at least not much difference,’" he said.
Fans had feared the show would carry commercial loads comparable to a standard NFL telecast, and many vented on social media that a pay channel adding ads undermined the viewing experience. Hanson said he sympathized with that reaction and emphasized he had no role in the decision-making process. "I'm the host of the show. The business folks handle the business side of things, and I don't have any control over that. I don't have any say in that," he said.
After the first weekend of the regular season with commercials in place, Hanson said viewer feedback improved. He told Fox News Digital that some viewers reported they "didn't even notice the commercials" and that the show drew a very large audience. "It was a very successful show – a very, very big audience, very successful show – and I'm thankful that, hopefully now we'll get into the meat of the season, and people will still know that RedZone is the best one-stop shop for their football fandom," he said.
Hanson also discussed his partnership with Lowe's on the "Earn Your Sunday" campaign, which encourages fans to finish household projects before game day. The campaign features NFL players including Saquon Barkley, Justin Jefferson, Christian McCaffrey and Dak Prescott. Hanson described the concept as a way for fans to prepare during the week so they can enjoy uninterrupted football on Sundays.
Network executives have positioned the limited advertising as a way to balance revenue needs with the program's rapid-fire format, which switches among live games to show scoring plays and key moments. "RedZone" has long been a destination for fans seeking continuous scoring-action coverage, and the introduction of brief, spaced-out ads marked a notable change for a program that previously ran without traditional commercial breaks.
Hanson said his focus remains on delivering football coverage. "I want to show you more football than anyone else on the planet," he said. He added that he understood viewers' concerns and hoped that, as the season progresses, the audience would judge the change by how it affects the viewing experience rather than by early reports and reaction.
The NFL Network did not provide additional comment beyond the statements Hanson made in his interview.