Bold opening: Apple and Netflix are shaking up the traditional rights game with a surprising, shared-streaming collaboration around Formula 1. Here’s how it unfolds and why it matters.
Apple and Netflix have agreed to an unconventional joint rights arrangement that will stream an upcoming Formula 1 race, along with the eighth season of Netflix’s F1: Drive to Survive, across both platforms. Season 8 of Drive to Survive premieres on a Friday and will be accessible on both Apple TV and Netflix. In addition, the two services will co-provide live coverage of the Canadian Grand Prix during the May weekend of the 22nd to the 24th.
This arrangement serves clear strategic purposes for each streamer. Apple, which secured exclusive U.S. rights to Formula 1 last year, seeks to enrich Apple TV with complementary programming that keeps racing enthusiasts engaged even when there aren’t races on the calendar. Netflix, already expanding its portfolio of live sports and events, gains another high-profile property to attract and retain subscribers, building on its investments in NFL, Major League Baseball, and the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 2025–26 F1 season begins March 5 with the Australian Grand Prix. Unlike Apple’s separate MLS streaming venture, the Formula 1 content will be accessible to all Apple TV subscribers, not just a paid subset. In addition to the main Grand Prix broadcasts, viewers can expect coverage of practice sessions, qualifying, and sprint events.
From Netflix’s perspective, Drive to Survive has become a blueprint for compelling behind-the-scenes sports storytelling. After seven seasons, the documentary has remained a strong performer, drawing about 10.4 million views in the first half of 2025. The show’s proven stickiness helped drive Netflix’s pursuit of F1 rights back in 2022, signaling the streamer’s intent to pair live sports with its dramatic, insider-access approach. ESPN continued to hold the live rights at that time, highlighting the competitive market for premier motorsport content.
Think of it this way: Apple uses F1 to deepen its ecosystem and keep subscribers tethered to Apple TV year-round; Netflix uses F1 to extend its live-sports ambitions and leverage Drive to Survive’s proven appeal to fans who crave behind-the-scenes access. The collaboration invites audiences to compare two streaming philosophies side by side—one focused on broad, integrated entertainment growth, the other on capitalizing the excitement of live sports with immersive storytelling.
What do you think about this joint rights model? Does sharing live events across two platforms help or hinder the audience experience? Which approach do you prefer for watching Formula 1: the all-in Apple TV package with added behind-the-scenes storytelling from Drive to Survive, or Netflix’s broader live-sports strategy paired with its own documentary lens? Share your thoughts in the comments.
