Netflix and Apple TV Forge Landmark F1 Content Pact for U.S.

In a rare collaboration between streaming rivals, Netflix will broadcast the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix live in the U.S., while Apple TV+ will carry the new season of 'Drive to Survive' as part of its new Formula 1 rights package. This cross-platform deal marks a significant shift in F1's U.S. distribution strategy, aiming to maximize reach by leveraging the strengths of two major platforms simultaneously.

Why it matters:

This partnership represents a strategic move away from exclusive, walled-garden broadcasting models. By making a live race available on Netflix—a platform with massive mainstream reach—and placing the narrative-driven 'Drive to Survive' on the new live rights holder, Apple TV+, Formula 1 is betting on ubiquity and cross-promotion to deepen engagement with both casual and dedicated fans in its most valuable growth market.

The details:

• The reciprocal deal is set for the 2026 season, with Apple TV+ beginning its five-year, approximately $150 million-per-season U.S. broadcast rights tenure.
• Live Race on Netflix: For the first time, Netflix subscribers in the United States will have access to live coverage of every session from the Canadian Grand Prix.
• DTS on Apple TV+: Season eight of the pivotal docuseries 'Drive to Survive' will premiere on Apple TV+ on February 27, 2026, just one week before the season opener, as part of a standard subscription.
• The arrangement ensures F1 content will have a commanding presence across two of the largest streaming ecosystems, bridging the gap between documentary storytelling and live sporting spectacle.

The big picture:

This deal is a direct acknowledgment of 'Drive to Survive's' role in turbocharging F1's popularity in North America. Instead of fragmenting the audience between platforms for documentaries and live races, the sport is creating a funnel: using Netflix's broad reach to introduce new viewers to live action, and using Apple's live coverage to drive subscribers toward deeper narrative content. It underscores the premium value of live sports in the streaming wars and F1's intent to capitalize on its current cultural momentum by being accessible "everywhere."

What's next:

The success of this 2026 experiment could redefine how sports rights are packaged and sold in the streaming era. If effective, this model of strategic content sharing between platforms to grow the overall audience may be adopted by other sports leagues. For fans, it means a more integrated viewing experience where the storylines from the docuseries and the live on-track drama are more closely connected than ever before.