Netflix could soon change how millions of F1 fans watch their favorite sport in the US – and that’s just the beginning.
The streaming giant is looking to snag Formula 1’s broadcast rights in America, and with their deep pockets, they’re in a strong position to outbid current broadcaster ESPN, which pays $90 million for the privilege.
Just how deep are those pockets? Netflix made a whopping $18 billion in profit last year. Compare that to Disney (ESPN’s owner) at just under $5 billion.
The company’s already dipping its toes into sports broadcasting. They’re paying $150 million annually for just two NFL games during Christmas. Yes, you read that right – $150 million for two games.
So what would they pay for 24 F1 races?
But here’s where it gets really interesting: Netflix probably won’t stop at the US market. They’re likely viewing American F1 rights as just the first step in a global takeover of F1 broadcasting.
Current broadcasters around the world should be nervous. While F1’s TV deals are done country-by-country, Netflix has the financial muscle to snap them up as they expire.
Take Sky Sports Germany, whose contract ends in 2027. The UK and Netherlands follow in 2029, where Sky Sports and Viaplay respectively hold the rights. These traditional broadcasters simply can’t compete with Netflix’s checkbook.
Some broadcasters might weather the storm better than others. Sky Sports UK, for instance, has Premier League football to fall back on. But it would still be a huge blow to their F1 commentary team, including familiar voices like David Croft and Martin Brundle.
One thing’s certain – when Netflix sets its sights on something, they rarely back down. The next few years could completely transform how we watch Formula 1.
And for F1 fans? They might need to add another streaming service to their monthly bills.
