• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Netflix Gearing Up for Formula 1 Rights Push

  • Netflix is looking to make its first foray into live sports.
  • The company is competing with ESPN, Amazon, and NBCUniversal for U.S. Formula 1 rights.
formula-1
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Since its founding, Netflix has eschewed acquiring rights to live sports — until now.

The global streaming leader is reportedly among those competing for Formula 1’s U.S. broadcast rights, according to Business Insider. 

Disney-owned ESPN hopes to retain the rights, which expire this year. NBCUniversal and Amazon are also in the mix for the global racing series that has exploded in popularity, in part due to Netflix’ hit docuseries “Drive to Survive.”

  • ESPN submitted an initial bid of $70 million per year.
  • F1 parent Liberty Media is seeking a contract around $100 million annually. 

F1 has a growing presence in the U.S., with Miami joining Austin as a Grand Prix site in May and Las Vegas coming next year. Miami’s inaugural race drew 2.6 million average viewers on ABC, the highest-ever figure for a U.S. broadcast.

Netflix’ Gear Shift

Netflix, which lost subscribers for the first time in more than a decade over the first quarter, plans to introduce an ad-supported user tier next year. While the slip has caused consternation across the streaming industry, Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei seems undeterred. 

“It is interesting how the world fragmented with cable households, and how many there are compared to Netflix households and [Amazon] Prime households,” said Maffei prior to the Miami Grand Prix. “The idea that the broadest audience is on cable — that’s becoming a lot less clear.”

Netflix had 221.6 million subscribers at the end of Q1, including 74.6 million in the U.S. and Canada.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
exclusive

Bill Belichick UNC Series Heading to Hulu After ‘Hard Knocks’ Breakdown

The series lands at Hulu after a deal with HBO fell through.

Netflix Beats Projections Again—and Plots Big Holiday Sports Slate

The streaming giant again beats analyst projections in every respect.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.

Featured Today

2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.

ESPN Bidding Against NBC, Apple for MLB Rights Package

The league continues to negotiate with multiple media-rights bidders.
July 15, 2025

MLB Home Run Derby Draws 5.7M Viewers on ESPN, Up 5%

ESPN reverses the trend from last year and registers audience growth.
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in the swing off of after the 2025 MLB All Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.
July 16, 2025

MLB All-Star Game Viewership Dips Despite Historic Swing-Off

Game viewership falls 3% despite late dramatics in the unique tiebreaker.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 15, 2025

WNBA Hits Fourth-Highest ABC Viewership With Clark-Bueckers Duel

Clark missed the first Fever vs. Wings game with an injury.
Brittney Griner and Caitlin Clark
exclusive
July 15, 2025

‘Good Morning America’ Will Air From WNBA All-Star in First

The All-Star Game’s relevance has exploded with the league in recent years.
NBC Sports
exclusive
July 14, 2025

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.
F1
July 11, 2025

F1 ‘Poised’ to Choose Apple Money Over ESPN Reach

Formula One looks to be changing lanes.