Apple and Netflix Strike Landmark F1 Partnership Ahead of 2026 Season

Apple and Netflix have announced a partnership to share Formula 1 content and live programming.

The deal, confirmed by Apple’s Senior VP of Services, Eddy Cue, will see the two tech giants co-broadcast the Canadian Grand Prix and share streaming rights for the eighth season of the hit docuseries Drive to Survive.

The agreement comes as Apple prepares for its inaugural season as the exclusive F1 rights holder in the United States, having secured the contract last year for an estimated USD140–USD150 million annually.

By partnering with Netflix, Apple aims to leverage the massive existing F1 audience built by the streaming pioneer since 2019.

Commenting on the broadcasting partnership, Cue, said: “Netflix has played a pivotal role in growing F1… and we’re thrilled to make F1 content more broadly available to new and existing U.S. fans on both platforms.”

Strategic Synergy: Live Racing and ‘Shoulder’ Content

The deal provides distinct commercial advantages for both organisations as Apple gains immediate access to the “cultural engine” of F1—Drive to Survive—while Netflix secures a high-profile entry into live sports broadcasting, a key pillar of its 2026 growth strategy.

Expanding the ‘Apple F1’ Ecosystem

Beyond video broadcasting, the 2026 season will see F1 deeply embedded across:

• Apple News: Live “look-ins” and real-time race updates.
• Apple Maps: Interactive “Circuit Guides” for every race location.
• Third-Party Altcasts: A partnership with Fox’s Tubi to stream alternative broadcasts, alongside IMAX simulcasts for select marquee races.

The Post-ESPN Era

While F1 CE,O Stefano Domenicali, previously credited Disney-owned ESPN with the sport’s “explosion” in the U.S., the Apple deal represents a pivot toward a tech-heavy, data-integrated viewing experience.

Interestingly, F1 remains in business with Disney through separate consumer product and digital comic ventures, ensuring the sport maintains a presence across all major media conglomerates as it enters its record 24-race 2026 calendar.

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