The PGA Tour Chases F1’s ‘Drive To Survive’ Success By Inking Deal With Netflix

In the hopes of replicating the success of Formula 1’s ‘Drive To Survive’ series, the PGA Tour has reportedly inked a deal with Netflix to film an episodic documentary series for the 2021-22 season.

According to multiple sources, the show will provide unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to some of the best golfers in the world as they contend for the 2021-22 PGA Tour championship.

The F1’s ‘Drive to Survive’ is credited with driving a 99% year-over-year increase in social media engagements in 2020 for Formula 1 across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube — top among all sports leagues; and F1 viewership held steady at 87.4 million per Grand Prix in 2020 despite cancellations and other challenges related to the pandemic.

Over 75% of Formula One’s audience growth in 2020 came from those aged between 16 and 35, a key demographic for broadcasting and advertising partners.

The PGA Tour is seeking a similar bump, given the golf tour lags with 18-34 year-olds, with 24% of that cohort saying they had never heard of it as of April.

Similar to the current collaboration between F1 and Netflix, the PGA Tour is expected to film its cast members at tournaments, at home, and during all the in-between times, providing fans with the full behind-the-scenes experience.

A lot is still to be determined, however, this could very well instigate a massive resurgence in the public’s interest surrounding golf.

The PGA Tour & Netflix both declined to comment on the report, and neither has released any official communication on the topic.