Netflix, Apple TV reported for F1 2026

Social posts on May 20 pointed to Netflix and Apple TV as new homes for Formula 1 content in 2026, but the underlying arrangement was already on the record in company and Formula 1 materials. Formula 1 announced in October that Apple would become its exclusive U.S. broadcast partner from 2026 under a five-year deal. Apple and Formula 1 then said in March that Apple TV subscribers in the United States would be able to watch every practice, qualifying session, sprint and Grand Prix live and on demand during the 2026 season. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2) Netflix is part of the picture too, but not as the main live-rights holder for the full U.S. season. Netflix’s Tudum site said in February that “Drive to Survive” Season 8 would stream on both Netflix globally and Apple TV in the United States. Motorsport.com also reported at the time that the two companies had reached a content arrangement tied to Formula 1’s new U.S. media setup. ### So what, exactly, is Apple TV getting in 2026? Apple and Formula 1 said on March 5 that Apple TV is the exclusive U.S. home of Formula 1 beginning with the 2026 season. (formula1.com) Their published descriptions say U.S. subscribers can watch all practice sessions, qualifying, sprint events and Grands Prix live and on demand through Apple TV. Formula 1’s subscription page also presents Apple TV as the new U.S. home of the series and pairs it with F1 TV Premium, which the sport says can be connected through an Apple account. (netflix.com) That indicates Apple is the main U.S. distribution point for live race coverage, with F1 TV remaining part of the viewing package for fans who want additional feeds and features. ### Where does Netflix fit if Apple has the U.S. live rights? Netflix’s confirmed role is clearest around “Formula 1: Drive to Survive.” Netflix’s Tudum article said that, for the first time, Season 8 would be available on both Netflix globally and Apple TV in the United States when it launched in 2026. (formula1.com) Netflix’s media center lists Season 8 with a February 27, 2026 U.S. release date. Netflix has also promoted at least one live Formula 1 weekend tie-in. A Tudum guide published May 20 said Apple TV’s Canadian Grand Prix race weekend would stream live on Netflix, describing that event as part of the bridge from “Drive to Survive” Season 8 to the Montreal weekend. (formula1.com) ### Did Formula 1 ever officially announce this, or was it only on X? Formula 1 officially announced Apple’s broader U.S. rights in October 2025. The sport said Apple would become its exclusive U.S. broadcast partner from 2026 in a five-year agreement. (netflix.com) Formula 1 also published a March 5 item detailing Apple integration across Apple TV, Apple Maps, Apple News and related products, and repeated that Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. would be able to watch the full 2026 season. (netflix.com) That means the core rights change did not originate with the May 20 social post. ### Does this mean Netflix has all Formula 1 rights too? No official material reviewed here says Netflix has the full 2026 Formula 1 season rights in the United States. (formula1.com) The official language assigns exclusive U.S. live-season coverage to Apple TV, while Netflix materials describe “Drive to Survive” distribution and selected live-race-related programming. That distinction matters because the May 20 social framing could be read as a broader cross-platform rights split than the published documents support. (formula1.com) The verified documents show Apple as the principal U.S. live-rights home and Netflix as a partner for documentary and some event-related distribution. That is an inference from the published scope of each company’s announcements. ### What should fans watch next to confirm how the setup works? The next concrete checkpoints are the 2026 race weekends listed on Apple TV’s Formula 1 pages and any additional event-specific notices from Netflix’s Tudum site. (formula1.com) Apple’s Formula 1 pages currently list the 2026 schedule and describe live races, highlights and on-demand coverage, while Netflix is already using Tudum to flag Formula 1 programming tied to Season 8 and the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. (tv.apple.com)