ESPN to launch ‘RedZone’ style coverage for US Open on ESPN Unlimited

ESPN is bringing the “RedZone” concept to tennis, using the brand for whiparound coverage of the US Open on its ESPN Unlimited streaming tier.

For the first six days of the tournament, beginning Aug. 30, ESPN will stream “RedZone” coverage from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. The presentation will move rapidly among matches and courts, potentially jumping from point to point rather than waiting for games or matches to finish.

The experiment marks ESPN’s first use of the RedZone intellectual property following its agreement to acquire NFL Network and other NFL Media assets.

Under the NFL, the “RedZone” name was only used, quite naturally, for football coverage and was typically accompanied by the tagline “from NFL Network.”

In early 

John Suchenski, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions, told Front Office Sports that several commentators will rotate through the coverage each day. They will serve both as hosts directing viewers between matches and as analysts calling the action shown on screen.

The rotating roster is expected to include some of ESPN’s prominent tennis voices, including John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, Andy Roddick and Caroline Wozniacki.

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Suchenski did not identify who will serve as the primary “traffic cop” hosts. Scott Hanson, the longtime host of NFL RedZone, will not be involved. Hanson remained an NFL Media employee as part of the transaction.

The NFL continues to control production and digital distribution of NFL RedZone, while ESPN parent Disney received linear television distribution rights.

ESPN has previously offered whiparound tennis coverage, but Suchenski said the US Open version will move at a significantly faster pace and is designed to resemble the experience viewers associate with NFL RedZone.

Whether ESPN ultimately expands the RedZone branding to other sports remains undecided. Asked by Front Office Sports about potential applications such as college football, Suchenski said those plans are “to be determined.”