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NFL RedZone Debuts Limited Ads for 2025, Preserves Live Action and Witching Hour

The NFL says the plan was tested last season, unrelated to ESPN's rights deal that takes effect in 2026.

A detailed view of an NFL Red Zone telephone communications cart before the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 2, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. The Colts defeated the Lions 35-33.
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Scott Hanson, host of NFL RedZone, will return for another season. Here's how to get NFL RedZone for free.
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Overview

  • Week 1 featured the new format: four 15‑second spots totaling about one minute, shown in a double box between plays with ad audio over the feed.
  • Scott Hanson confirmed no ads will run during the late‑game "Witching Hour" and adjusted his opening to drop the "commercial‑free" tagline.
  • A league spokesperson said the change was contemplated and tested for over a year and is not tied to the ESPN agreement.
  • Operational control remains with the NFL through the 2025 season, with broader branding and distribution rights shifting to ESPN in 2026.
  • RedZone remains widely available through pay‑TV and streaming partners and can be purchased standalone via NFL+ Premium for $14.99 per month, as fans voiced immediate backlash online.