NFL RedZone Surprises Fans with Unexpected Ads During Sunday Coverage
Football fans have long relied on NFL RedZone for its uninterrupted action, free from the usual barrage of commercials that dominate most televised sports. But last Sunday, viewers were in for a surprise as they experienced not one, but four “short” commercial breaks—ads running side-by-side with the game, while the football audio was muted.
Unsurprisingly, the reaction was less than positive, with many fans expressing their frustration online. Observant viewers noted that RedZone host Scott Hanson, who traditionally greets audiences with “Welcome to seven hours of commercial-free football,” instead simply said, “It’s seven hours of football.”
According to a source from the NFL, this change was merely a test, and they have no immediate plans to make ads a permanent feature of RedZone coverage. However, the source left the door open for changes, suggesting that any permanent move could be considered for the 2025 season or later.
While RedZone’s “commercial-free” slogan isn’t a legally binding guarantee, the concept has become a key selling point for fans who tune in each week to follow the non-stop action. NFL RedZone remains a popular and affordable option for cord-cutters, available for $15 per month or $100 annually with an NFL+ Premium subscription. It’s far cheaper than NFL Sunday Ticket, which costs $479 for the full season on YouTube.
