Netflix is in talks to secure US Formula 1 broadcast rights as ESPN’s deal nears end

Netflix is reportedly preparing to enter negotiations for the US broadcasting rights to Formula 1, now that ESPN’s exclusivity period has expired. With ESPN’s current deal set to conclude at the end of 2025, F1 is now free to explore offers from other networks, setting the stage for a potential high-stakes bidding war.

Although ESPN has been in discussions with F1 management to extend its contract beyond 2026, no agreement has been reached. The lapse of the exclusivity clause now opens the door for rival bidders—including Netflix, which has been expanding into live sports broadcasting.

A Times report suggests that Netflix is seriously considering a formal bid, buoyed by its recent hiring of Kate Jackson, ESPN’s former vice-president of production, as its new director of sports. The company has already made inroads into live sports, securing rights for two NFL games, the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups, and successfully streaming the Tyson-Paul boxing match, which became the biggest streamed sporting event ever.

Netflix was previously linked with an F1 bid in 2021 but lost out to ESPN. However, with F1’s US popularity surging—largely due to Netflix’s own Drive to Survive series—the streaming giant may see this as the perfect moment to make a winning bid.

Despite Netflix’s financial firepower, one major hurdle remains: F1 prefers regional broadcasting deals over global contracts, limiting the scope for Netflix to secure worldwide rights. Streaming competitors such as Amazon and Apple have also been linked to F1 bids, ensuring that the fight for the US rights will be fierce.

In the UK, Sky Sports holds exclusive F1 rights until 2029, meaning any Netflix deal would be strictly for the US market. With the bidding process now wide open, all eyes are on whether Netflix will outmanoeuvre ESPN and finally bring live F1 action to its platform.