The NFL announced on Thursday that “Sunday Ticket” will move to YouTube TV beginning in 2023, and that has left many fans wondering what could become of one popular part of the package.
DirecTV had been the home of the NFL’s “Sunday Ticket” package since it launched in 1994. The Red Zone Channel, a fan favorite with host Andrew Siciliano, was created by DirecTV as part of the package in 2005. According to a report from Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, the Red Zone Channel could be eliminated when “Sunday Ticket” moves to YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels.
NFL Network created its own NFL RedZone channel in 2009, which is currently available as an add-on to cable subscriptions and streaming services. YouTube TV, for example, offers NFL RedZone as part of its Sports Plus add-on, which costs an additional $10.99 per month on top of the $64.99 per month subscribers pay for the base package.
Scott Hanson, the longtime host of NFL Network’s RedZone channel, assured fans after the big “Sunday Ticket” announcement that his show is not going anywhere.
Congrats @YouTube & @NFL on the new Sunday Ticket deal!
(& yes, NFL RedZone will still be available to you.)
— Scott Hanson (@ScottHanson) December 22, 2022
The new “Sunday Ticket” package will be offered either as an add-on to a YouTube TV subscription or as an a la carte package via YouTube Primetime Channels. If the Red Zone Channel that DirecTV created is eliminated, it would then become a separate entity from “Sunday Ticket.” That means fans would have to buy “Sunday Ticket” and pay for RedZone another way (via YouTube TV subscription, etc.) in order to have access to both.
Both the Red Zone Channel and NFL RedZone are extremely popular, particularly among those who gamble and play fantasy football. DirecTV has also offered a Fantasy Zone Channel, which could also be eliminated with the new deal.
