Netflix to air first live F1 race in partnership with Apple TV

Netflix will broadcast its first-ever live Formula 1 race this year, airing Apple TV's coverage of the Canadian Grand Prix to U.S. subscribers. This move marks a significant expansion for Netflix beyond its documentary series Drive to Survive and comes as Apple TV begins its tenure as the exclusive U.S. rights holder for the entire F1 season starting next weekend in Australia.

Why it matters:

This partnership represents a major strategic shift in how F1 content is distributed in its crucial U.S. market. By collaborating, Apple and Netflix are leveraging each other's strengths—Apple's new live sports platform and Netflix's massive, engaged subscriber base cultivated by Drive to Survive—to maximize reach and fan engagement. It signals a move towards more flexible, cross-platform content sharing in premium sports broadcasting.

The details:

• The agreement is reciprocal: Netflix will stream Apple's live broadcast of the Canadian GP, while Apple TV+ will host seasons of the popular Drive to Survive documentary series.
• Apple TV's coverage, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix, is the first time a single streaming service holds exclusive U.S. rights to the full F1 calendar.
• Apple is launching a bespoke broadcast product, moving beyond the standard international feed. Key features include:
  • Multi-view functionality for up to four simultaneous streams.
  • A driver tracker and dedicated data channel.
  • "Podium channels" that automatically follow the onboard cameras of the top three drivers.
  • Team-specific channels combining the world feed with exclusive onboard footage and team radio.
• Viewers will also have the option to watch the traditional Sky Sports F1 commentary feed.

What's next:

The 2026 F1 season kicks off in earnest with the Australian Grand Prix, showcasing Apple's new broadcast suite. The success of this one-race experiment on Netflix could pave the way for similar limited collaborations in the future, testing new models for attracting casual fans from documentary platforms to live events. Season 8 of Drive to Survive is now available on Netflix, continuing to serve as a primary gateway for new fans ahead of this expanded live coverage.