Can Netflix’s involvement change in F1 how it broadcast?

It is reported that Netflix can enter the bidding race for Formula 1 rights in America Not unexpected, however, this may result in massive results on how the series are broadcast in the UK and other places.

The current platform sells TV contracts worldwide, Liberty Media of F1, Liberty Media. It was a business model founded by Berney Eclestone during the 1980s, where a broadcaster would bid to win the rights to show F1 in their area. This not only allowed Eklestone to sell rights in each country, but it would sometimes create a bid war among broadcasters and proved to be an attractive revenue stream. In turn, TV companies will receive live feed of action but will be responsible for programming.

This is the format, resulting in Sky signed a deal with F1 in 2012, where it went with BBC coverage, before it became an unique home of UK for all live races since 2019. , Switch was switched on by showing half the race after Channel 4. To show a highlights for all races and free-to-air live of British GP.

Sky has extended the deal that extends to 2029, and now takes at least to its German and Italian channels by at least 2027. The business is that F1’s over-the-top streaming platform F1 TV Pro is not available in those areas.

The F1 TV Pro provides customers in coverage from all 24 races to other areas, including unpleasant radio broadcasts throughout the sessions, but the tech up in Europe has a slow UK, Italian and Jio-block locations in the UK, Italian and German markets Has been slowed down. Sky Contract Extension.

All this is very well, you have an sky membership or can, but by its nature it already reaches the possible audience of F1.

In the US, Liberty Media’s broadcaster has strong relations for ESPN. Eager to grow the series in the US, Liberty offered ESPN Free Rights to F1 in 2018. Disney-owned channel has paid $ 5 million a year between 2019-2022 before signing a new agreement in 2022. – It lasts by the end of this year.

While Sky has invested heavily in technology and programming, much less than ESPN, despite a significant growth in the American TV audience, greatly rely on Sky’s production.

As a result, Sky Netflix will be alert to the effect, given that streaming service has the ability to open a market with ease and, it seems that ESPN’s scant is a lack of scant programming and investment, it is really for new markets How little matters.

For example, would Sky be questioning whether all its presenter and TV crew are required on the ground in each race? Does really require deep debots in the race for casual fans? Or does it actually produce expensive pre-session features?

This writer will argue yes, as it creates a better product, but the reality is that the general audience may not agree or may not take care of more likely.

Liberty media is also aware of this, which is why it provides its F1 TV Pro service, which can provide all analysis to AVD fans, but as a subscription that runs back directly to the right holder .

In terms of Netflix, its forest should not be surprised in live sports that it should be hosted by Netflix Cup, first live sporting broadcast of streaming service, a crossover of F1 drivers and professional golfers from 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix Competed in the first program. ,

In addition, Netflix recruited Kate Jackson to run his live sports output last November, already led by ESPN’s F1 coverage, who was in his role as the vice -president of production.

And, of course, with a long association of Netflix Drive to survive The series which has been going on since 2019 and has been widely credited to help to increase the appeal of F1.

Sky will also take care of how Netflix can indicate its global platform and the way it was able to open NFL to wider audience, with each game to attract more than 30 million global audiences from 218 countries with each game For – even on Christmas days.

In short term, the US F1 Rights Deal should not affect Sky, as it has a contract until 2029.

Internal sources feel that it is likely that the F1 will make a broker deal with several US broker and streaming platforms in an attempt to broaden the footprint of the championship in the US.

It is a similar model for other US Games with NFLs spread over five separate broadcasters, while Apple only bought MBL for Friday night’s games and Amazon now has a package of NBA game. In the UK too, the premiere league games are divided into Amazon, TNT sports as well as Sky.

It all points to the days of uniqueness. By opening the market for new audiences, it gives F1 more opportunities to grow.

F1 has to open new ways to show itself, and it handles not only for the US and UK markets, but its global broadcasting.

Yes, those regional TV contracts of the past were attractive, but they were also stopping the development of F1. As we have already seen Drive to surviveAn optional, global platform offering the audience F1 – and one which is accessible to them – it has the ability to open a new market, much higher than a special TV deal.