All articles tagged with #redzone
ESPN has completed a deal to acquire NFL Network and RedZone rights after regulatory clearance, a move that also gives the NFL a 10% stake in Disney-owned ESPN, signaling a major shift in U.S. sports media.
ESPN and the NFL have won regulatory approval for a landmark equity deal: ESPN will acquire control of NFL Network and other NFL Media assets, while the NFL earns a 10% stake in ESPN. NFL Network will be fully integrated into ESPN ahead of the next season, with ESPN subscribers gaining NFL Network access at no extra cost. The pact expands game coverage to 28 per season (21 on ESPN networks, 7 on NFL Network), eliminates Monday Night Football doubleheaders, and leaves four additional games to be sold to a streamer. The NFL will continue to operate NFL+, NFL.com, and the in-house RedZone broadcast, with ESPN owning the linear rights to RedZone. The transition begins in April, setting the stage for ESPN’s first Super Bowl broadcast in 2027.
ESPN finalized the acquisition of NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and the distribution rights to RedZone, with the NFL obtaining a 10% stake in ESPN; the deal includes integrating NFL staff into ESPN, expanding NFL programming, and shifting some games between ESPN and NFL Network, while the NFL preserves RedZone production and distribution rights and brands.
Regulators approved ESPN’s billion-dollar acquisition of NFL Media assets, giving the NFL a 10% stake in ESPN and making ESPN the owner/operator of NFL Network and RedZone while integrating fantasy football into ESPN’s platform. ESPN will air 28 regular-season games (including NFL Network’s seven), four Monday Night Football doubleheaders will move to NFL Network next season, and NFL employees will begin integrating into ESPN as the networks deepen collaboration ahead of a fall 2026 rollout and a broader direct-to-consumer push.
The NFL announced that while 'RedZone' will now include brief commercials and sponsorships, the broadcast will remain largely uninterrupted, with football still prominently on screen, reassuring fans that the viewing experience will not be significantly diminished despite the introduction of ads.
NFL RedZone will now include commercials this season after a previous experiment with commercial-free broadcasting was poorly received, with host Scott Hanson confirming the change as a business decision, though he assures the show's coverage of key moments will remain unaffected.
ESPN is acquiring NFL Network and distribution rights to NFL RedZone, gaining a stake in the NFL, which aims to focus more on selling games rather than operating its own network. The deal enhances ESPN's NFL coverage, including more live games and RedZone expansion, while raising questions about its impact on journalism, game scheduling, and sports gambling. The agreement still requires league owner and regulatory approval.
ESPN's $3 billion deal to acquire NFL media assets, including the popular RedZone channel, has sparked fan backlash due to concerns over potential changes and expansion plans, despite NFL's assurances that the RedZone product will remain unchanged. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hinted at possible RedZone expansion to college football, which has further upset fans who fear the original format may be altered.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that ESPN's acquisition of the RedZone brand could lead to the expansion of the popular 'RedZone' concept beyond the NFL, potentially into college football and other sports, while the NFL RedZone show will remain unchanged.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hinted at the possibility of a College Football RedZone channel following ESPN's acquisition of the NFL Network and NFL RedZone, suggesting fans could soon enjoy a dedicated channel for multiple college football games, similar to the NFL RedZone experience. The NFL will continue to produce NFL RedZone, while ESPN now owns the rights to the name and can develop similar content for college football and other sports. The deal also includes ESPN acquiring the NFL Network and other NFL media assets in exchange for a stake in ESPN.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that ESPN's acquisition of the RedZone name will not change the NFL RedZone product, but ESPN may use the name for other sports like college football, potentially creating a RedZone-style coverage for college games, which could benefit both fans and the NFL.
ESPN is acquiring the NFL Network and RedZone channel from the NFL, gaining a 10% equity stake, and will integrate these assets into its platform, including a new direct-to-consumer streaming service, while also licensing additional NFL games and content to expand its football offerings.
The San Francisco 49ers, currently on a three-game losing streak, face a must-win game against the Chicago Bears, who have shown improvement despite a poor season. The 49ers' defense struggles in the red zone, ranking 31st in the NFL, while the Bears excel in converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns, ranking fourth. This mismatch could pose significant challenges for the 49ers, who need to improve their red zone defense to avoid further losses.
DirecTV has reached a multiyear renewal agreement with NFL Media, allowing them to carry NFL RedZone across all platforms and continue carrying NFL Network. This marks the first time that DirecTV and DirecTV STREAM customers will have access to NFL RedZone. Although Sunday Ticket will now be available on YouTube TV, the partnership between the NFL and DirecTV will continue, providing an added bonus for DirecTV users.
The NFL's Sunday Ticket package of out-of-market games will be offered as part of Google's YouTube TV for the first time this season, as well as to those who don't want to subscribe to a bundle of any kind, albeit, at a premium. The base Sunday Ticket package will cost an additional $349 for the season for those who already subscribe to YouTube TV, which costs $72.99 a month. The streamer is also offering a bundle with Redzone, the NFL's linear cable TV channel, that will cost $389 for the season.