Netflix interested in broadcasting F1 in the United States

What if Netflix, in addition to its Drive to Survive series, started broadcasting the Formula 1… for real? The American streaming mega-platform is reportedly interested in acquiring the TV rights to the discipline, according to the British media The Times. Until now, ESPN has been broadcasting Formula 1 on its channel since 2018, but its contract is due to end at the end of the 2025 season. While the channel was able to negotiate with the championship as a priority during an exclusive negotiation period, this ended at the beginning of February without an agreement being formalized (for the moment). From now on, other players can discuss with Formula 1 for the broadcasting of the discipline from 2026 and, according to The Time, Netflix would be part of the negotiation table.

Netflix and Formula 1 have been a love affair since 2018. Thanks to the show Drive to Survive – whose Season 7, retracing the 2024 campaign, will be broadcast from the beginning of March on the platform – the discipline has experienced an incredible surge in popularity among young audiences. The series became an immediate success, especially in the United States, where Formula 1's reputation has exploded in recent years. The championship is trying to capitalize on this success by increasing the number of races in America (three Grands Prix in the United States since 2023) and by emphasizing the "American show".

A match between Netflix and Apple for F1?

A Netflix bid to broadcast Formula 1 would be a logical next step in meeting the American platform's ambitions to diversify beyond simply broadcasting films and series. The Times newspaper suggests that Netflix was considering making an offer to FOM and that its efforts would be facilitated by the recruitment, last November, of Kate Jackson as the new director of sports at Netflix. Kate Jackson, who was previously vice-president of production... at ESPN, specializing in Formula 1.

For several years, Netflix has been trying to make a breakthrough in live sports broadcasting: the platform has obtained the rights for two NFL (American Football League) matches and acquired the TV rights for the Women's World Cup for the 2027 and 2031 editions. Netflix also broadcast the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match last November. The American company had already tried to acquire F1 in the United States during the last negotiation in 2021, but was beaten to it by ESPN.

Netflix may not be the only giant interested in acquiring Formula 1 TV rights in the United States: rumors for late 2023 announced that Apple was also in the process. The multinational, who has already acquired the rights to the F1 film starring Brad Pitt, was at the time considering making an offer of around $2 billion per year to become the exclusive holder of Formula 1 broadcast rights, before trying to obtain F1 TV rights around the world. In France, the TV rights for the sport are held by Canal+ until 2029.

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