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Scott Hanson is signing a new NBCUniversal contract to host Peacock’s Gold Zone during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, Front Office Sports has learned.
Peacock will announce the partnership with the popular NFL RedZone host on Wednesday. Next year’s Olympics mark the first time Gold Zone will stream on the platform during the Winter Games.
Molly Solomon, executive producer and president of NBC Olympics production, said bringing back Hanson was an easy decision after his critically acclaimed performance during the Paris Olympics.
“After crushing it in Paris, I can’t wait to see Scott bring his trademark enthusiasm and passion to the snow and ice of the Winter Olympics,” she said in a statement. “Gold Zone was such a success in Paris that we felt compelled to bring it back for Milan Cortina; a Winter Games first for Peacock.”
Perfecting the whiparound highlight format he’s used on NFL RedZone for 16 years, Hanson took global viewers around France for the best Olympic action. Hanson got so excited narrating Paris highlights that he cut his hand while slamming it on the desk for emphasis.
He earned rave reviews for his high-energy performance, with John Green, bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars, writing on X/Twitter: “I’ve taken a lot of drugs in my life but I’ve never taken a drug like Peacock’s Olympic Gold Zone. What a rush.” Sports Illustrated called Gold Zone a “game-changer.” Awful Announcing called Hanson’s casting a “masterstroke.”
“I’m thrilled to be back hosting Gold Zone on Peacock for the Winter Olympics in February!” Hanson said in a statement sent to FOS. “‘The Witching Hour’ will once again be ‘The Golden Hour’ as we show you the best moments from every sport as they happen. It’s the biggest Winter Olympics ever—nearly 3,000 athletes, 116 events, and one place to see it all: Gold Zone.”
Hanson will again spearhead coverage of the Gold Zone whiparound highlights show during the Winter Olympics. NBC and Peacock will kick off live coverage of the opening ceremony from San Siro Stadium in Milan on Feb. 6, 2026. As with Paris, Peacock will stream every sport and event live, as well as offering full event replays and curated video clips. FOS was the first outlet to report that NBC could bring back Hanson for more Gold Zone coverage in 2026 as well as the Los Angeles Summer Games in 2028.
Hanson has hosted NFL RedZone since its premiere in 2009. His last contract expired after the 2024 football season, making him a potential free-agent target for the likes of NBC, ESPN, and Fox.
However, sources tell me his negotiations with NFLN have progressed in recent months. It’s likely Hanson will return to NFL RedZone hosting duties with a new contract under his belt, say sources. But he’ll still be given the green light to work on NBC’s Olympic coverage.
The 53-year-old was among the nominees for best “personality/studio” hosts at the 2025 Sports Emmy Awards on Tuesday night. He was competing against Mike Tirico of NBC, Scott Van Pelt of ESPN, Ernie Johnson of TNT Sports, and Kate Scott of CBS Sports.
