Fuji TV Secures Exclusive F1 Broadcast Rights Through 2030 in Japan

Fuji TV has secured exclusive Formula 1 broadcast rights in Japan through 2030, ending DAZN's shared coverage arrangement and marking the sport's full return to terrestrial television after years of split distribution. The five-year agreement covers every Grand Prix, Sprint race, and practice/qualifying session across Fuji TV's broadcast and digital ecosystem, including its Next Live Premium network and FOD streaming service.

Why it matters:

This exclusive partnership signals F1's strategic shift toward consolidating broadcast relationships in key growth markets. With Japan's fanbase expanding 20% to 16.8 million since 2022, the deal capitalizes on renewed interest following Max Verstappen's recent Suzuka victories and rising domestic talent like Yuki Tsunoda. Ending the shared model with DAZN—active since 2018—reflects F1's preference for unified broadcast strategies that maximize audience reach through both traditional and digital channels.

The Details:

• Coverage Expansion: Race highlights for up to five 2026 rounds will air on free-to-air television, reversing a trend toward subscription-only access that began in 2018.
• Streaming Debut: F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium will launch in Japan for the first time, giving fans direct access to the sport's global streaming platform previously unavailable in the market.
• Historic Partnership: Fuji TV first broadcast F1 in 1987, making this renewal the start of their fifth consecutive decade covering the sport—a longevity unmatched by any current F1 broadcaster globally.
• Content Strategy: The broadcaster plans expanded programming including daily "F1 GP News," a five-hour season review special, and archival content through a newly formed cross-departmental F1 Promotion Committee.
• Market Growth: F1's reported 16.8 million Japanese fans represent one of its strongest regional audiences, with viewership surging 32% during the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix weekend compared to 2023.

What's next:

Fuji TV's commitment to free-to-air highlights suggests F1 is prioritizing audience growth over immediate revenue maximization in Japan—a contrast to its all-subscription approach in markets like the U.S. The broadcaster's planned programming expansions could serve as a template for other regions where F1 seeks to balance premium streaming with mass-market accessibility.

Formula One's chief media rights officer Ian Holmes emphasized the partnership's cultural significance: "They've been with us since F1 first raced in Japan—we're humbled by their commitment." Fuji TV CEO Kenji Shimizu framed the deal as central to their transformation into a "true content company," pledging to engage both legacy fans and new viewers through integrated coverage. With the 2026 season introducing new technical regulations and potential grid expansion, this broadcast reset positions Japan to experience F1's evolution through a single, unified lens for the first time in eight years.