Netflix is considering a move into live sports broadcasting by bidding for the U.S. rights to Formula 1, according to industry sources.
The streaming giant, which has fuelled F1’s popularity in the U.S. with its hit docuseries Drive to Survive (season 7 lands in March), is expected to enter the bidding process for the rights starting with the 2026 season, reports The Times.
ESPN currently holds the U.S. broadcast rights under a $90 million deal, but its exclusive window to negotiate a renewal has expired, opening the door for other contenders.
Netflix has already taken steps to bolster its sports division, hiring Kate Jackson, ESPN’s former vice president of production, to oversee its live sports projects. The company has so far focused on short-term sports events, including two NFL games on Christmas and the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match, which became the most-streamed sporting event ever.
Apple holds the global rights for Major League Soccer, but sources familiar with the negotiations say F1 is unlikely to pursue a similar worldwide deal. Instead, the sport prefers selling rights by region, as it proves more beneficial for its business model.
The success of Drive to Survive has driven massive interest in F1, particularly in the U.S., where the number of fans has doubled since 2018. The country now hosts three races—Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas—making it a key market for the sport.
Netflix already has a $5 billion dollar WWE deal to broadcast RAW and this could be yet its next foray into live sports. F1’s next U.S. rights deal is expected to see a price increase, though it remains far lower than other U.S. sports. Since Formula 1 seems to only want to deal with regional broadcasters, it’s unclear if Netflix would be interested in Canadian rights as well (we’re a pretty small market compared to the U.S.).
