Last year, NFL RedZone viewers were treated to the annoyance of not being able to view the full scorebug on Fox broadcasts, presumably in an attempt to discourage people from watching games there instead of on their stations. It looks like they’re back at it again in 2022.
It looks like Fox has again scooted its scorebug lower on the screen and those watching on redzone are now unable to see stats, quarter, time on clock, and down and distance because their ticker blocks that info. We wrote about this happening last year.https://t.co/DpPrB4brsj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 11, 2022
Just as with last season, viewers watching NFL RedZone had a hard time noting the overall clock, play clock, and down and distance information on the Fox bug. Interestingly, some noted that the information was visible at one point but then Fox dropped the bug just enough that it got cut off.
Niners-Bears had the full scorebug showing on NFL RedZone, but seconds later, Fox lowers it to cut off the clock and down-distance. pic.twitter.com/GmgglNjPnE
— Ken Fang — Very Asian (@fangsbites) September 11, 2022
NFL Redzone had this problem all last year with the fox games and I cannot believe they didn’t fix it yet. Please please please just zoom out on the game like an inch so we can see the time and down and distance info in these games. pic.twitter.com/nJs6fNhbX7
— Frankie (@CaptainKnots888) September 11, 2022
As with last year, RedZone has implemented a scorebug of its own to ensure that viewers can get all the information they need, though it appears to come and go depending on the game and network that is broadcasting.
RedZone had been removing their ticker for Fox games then putting it back on for CBS games, but now they have an identifying bug they're using for Fox games with the lower scorebug. pic.twitter.com/ZMRMH9Ao5D
— Sports TV News & Updates (@TVSportsUpdates) September 11, 2022
The big question is how often Fox will end up doing this. Is it a tactic meant to protect certain games or is this just going to become a standard issue for their games moving forward? And might we see CBS follow suit at some point? And will the NFL try to intercede at some point to smooth things over?
Whatever may happen in the future, the annoyance created by the bug placement is certainly impacting RedZone viewers, many of whom seem to be blaming RedZone for the issue. Whether or not that compels them to change the channel to Fox, that’s another story.
FOX'S SCOREBUG BEING COVERED BY THE NFL REDZONE BOTTOMLINE FOR THE FIRST HALF HOUR NOW FOOTBALL'S REALLY REALLY BACK
— Ryan McDonnell (@RyanMcD29) September 11, 2022
NFL Redzone finally just got rid of the ticker to avoid completely blocking every single score bug lol
— Anthony Nash (@_anthonynash) September 11, 2022
https://twitter.com/NotLonis/status/1569023180592893952
https://twitter.com/andrew_vargha/status/1569014930439012353
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.