In a surprise deal, Apple and Netflix are teaming up on Formula 1 specific programming.
The deal will see Netflix simulcast the F1 Canadian Grand Prix from May 22-24 (it will also be on Apple TV, of course), with Apple TV picking up the streaming rights to Season 8 of Driving to survive Besides Netflix.
Driving to survive It will land on Apple TV at midnight tonight, the same day it debuts on Netflix.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, announced the deal in a conference call with reporters on Thursday.
“I believe Netflix has played a pivotal role in growing Formula 1 since its launch Driving to survive“We are thrilled to make F1 content more widely available to our new and existing fans in the US on both Netflix and Apple TV,” Cue said.
The deal offers something for each company: Apple gets Formula 1 shoulder programming that it can put alongside live races, and expands the reach of its Formula 1 programming with a simulcast of the Canadian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Netflix will stream Formula 1 races live in the US in May, continuing its strategy of frequent live event programming.
In fact, the Netflix deal is just one of many efforts by Apple to expand F1’s reach ahead of the season kicking off next month in Melbourne, Australia. As with its deals with MLB and MLS, Apple will integrate F1 content and programming within its other apps, including Apple News (which will provide a live look at the races), Apple Maps, Apple Music, and its other apps.
The company has partnerships with third parties, in addition to Netflix. As previously reported, Imax will simulcast some of the races, and the company will also team up with Fox’s Tubi to broadcast some “altcasts,” though it’s not entirely clear what that will entail.
Apple acquired the rights to Formula 1 last year in a deal believed to be worth between $140 million and $150 million annually. The track has been with ESPN for years, giving the sports giant credit for developing it tremendously.
“They were the ones who bet on us at a moment when there was not good confidence in our ability to grow as we do as a sport,” Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said. Hollywood Reporter last year. Disney and F1, ESPN’s parent company, are still in business, with both companies working on consumer products and online comics, as announced earlier Thursday.
