Fans of NBC's “Gold Zone” Olympic coverage needn't worry about a world without it.
Scott Hanson, host of “NFL Redzone” who, along with several other anchors, brought the live whip-around style to NBC's Peacock streaming service, appeared on an NFL Media Zoom conference call with reporters on Tuesday to promote the upcoming season of “Redzone.”
During the conference call, Hanson made it clear that the “gold zone” should be “implemented” in the near future.
“The staff at NBC Sports was just amazing,” Hanson said.
“They really wanted me to bring my own style and organizational savvy and how to run a multitasking show. NBC told me they wouldn't do any Olympics going forward that didn't involve 'The Gold Zone.' Pardon the double negative.”
The Post asked Hanson about the similarities and differences between hosting “Gold Zone” and “Red Zone.”
“It was a great experience to host 'Gold Zone' during the Olympics and hear from fans and media commentators that it has apparently changed the way they watch the Olympics. It's similar to what people always say about football's 'NFL Red Zone.'”
Hanson said the similarity between “Gold Zone” and “Red Zone” is that there are multiple events happening at the same time in multiple locations, “multiple moments where you have to switch from here to there, and then you have to shuffle them together into a coherent storyline.”
“It was very, very different in terms of educating the audience,” Hanson said of the contrast. [versus] “Assumed knowledge”
Hanson continued: “When I say, 'Let's go see the Cowboys play,' I don't have to explain, 'The Cowboys are a football team. They're playing in Dallas. 11 guys here, 11 guys there, and the field is 100 yards.' When you switch to fencing, I have to explain, 'Here's how it works. Here's the final score. Here's how you win.' That's how it works. Not to mention the unusual pronunciations of names and the 210-plus countries and contingents, some of which I'm unfamiliar with, but I consider myself a pretty cultured person.”
Speaking of explainers, Hanson expects he'll have to explain the strange new rules for NFL kickoffs to spectators when red zone play resumes on Sept. 7.
Later in the call, Hanson recounted how around Thanksgiving last year, NBC executive Molly Solomon and her team approached him about starring in “The Gold Zone.”
“The prospect scared me,” Hanson admitted.
“Ten thousand athletes, 329 medal sports, over 200 countries and delegations, a sport I knew nothing about. I was hesitant, but Molly has the allure.”
The upcoming season of “NFL Redzone” will be available on cable and satellite bundles and via over-the-top streaming through the NFL+ package on the league's app.
