Streaming Giant Netflix Is Looking to Secure F1 Broadcasting Rights

Mark
Streaming Giant Netflix Is Looking to Secure F1 Broadcasting Rights
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Netflix might soon be the new home of Formula 1 in the US. The battle for broadcast rights from 2026 is heating up, and the streaming giant is seriously considering stepping in. With ESPN’s exclusive negotiation period now over, the door is wide open.

For years, Netflix has played a major role in F1’s rise in popularity thanks to ‘Drive to Survive’. The series has turned casual viewers into hardcore fans and helped F1 explode in the American market, especially among younger and female audiences. But with the latest season set to be the last under the current contract, Netflix seems ready to take things to the next level.

The company has been making big moves in live sports. They broke records with the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, streamed NFL games on Christmas, and just locked in a $5 billion deal for WWE programming. They also secured rights for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup. Adding live F1 races would be a massive step in their sports strategy.

Kate Jackson, who previously led ESPN’s F1 coverage, is now in charge of Netflix’s live sports division. This only strengthens the possibility of Netflix jumping into the race for F1 rights. If they win, it could mean a major shift in how US viewers watch the sport.

ESPN has been the home of F1 in the US since 2018, originally paying nothing for the rights as Liberty Media wanted to maximize exposure. But things changed quickly. From 2019 to 2022, ESPN paid $5 million per year. Then, with F1’s popularity soaring, they locked in a new deal worth $90 million annually through 2025.

Last season, ESPN gave F1 top-tier coverage, airing all 23 races, with most shown on ABC or ESPN. They also brought ‘GameDay’ to races in Austin, Mexico City, and São Paulo. But if Netflix takes over, the days of watching F1 with Sky Sports commentary on ESPN could be over.

This deal only affects the US market for now. In the UK, Sky Sports holds the rights until 2029. But one thing is clear—Netflix is no longer just a streaming platform. It’s coming for live sports, and F1 could be next.

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Mark is the kind of person who gets way too excited about new software updates and can’t resist taking apart gadgets—just to see if they can put them back together. With years of experience in tech journalism and a love for all things digital, Mark writes about the stories behind the screens, from game-changing innovations to the everyday tech that keeps life running smoothly. Outside of work, they’re the go-to “tech support” for friends and family, whether it’s fixing a printer that won’t cooperate or explaining why Grandma’s laptop keeps showing pop-ups. When Mark isn’t glued to their screen, they’re probably building their dream PC, rewatching sci-fi movies for the hundredth time, or testing a gadget that promises to “change everything.” Spoiler: they’ll let you know if it actually does.