ESPN Buys NFL Network, NFL RedZone Rights – How Will This Affect the RedZone?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

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ESPN and the NFL have signed a deal that will give the sports network certain league assets including the NFL Network and the linear (cable, satellite) distribution rights to the NFL RedZone channel. In return, the NFL will get a 10 percent stake in ESPN.

How Will This Affect the NFL RedZone Channel?
ESPN will offer the NFL Network and RedZone channel on its upcoming ESPN unlimited app for cord cutters, which will launch on August 21. But it’s unclear when this will occur because the NFL-ESPN deal must first be approved by federal regulators, a process that could take at least nine months. It’s also unclear whether ESPN will sell the NFL Network and NFL RedZone as add-on plans or as part of the app’s $29.99 price. However, the former is more likely than the latter.

Regardless, the NFL RedZone channel will continue to be hosted by Scott Hanson. Plus, the channel will still be available on pay TV services such as cable, live streaming services and satellite and via the NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.

ESPN is also obtaining the branding rights to the RedZone which could lead to the sports network launching similar RedZone channels for other sports.

The deal was first reported by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand last Friday.

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