The streaming wars have entered a strange and cooperative new phase. In a move that few industry insiders saw coming, Apple and Netflix are teaming up to share Formula 1 programming. This partnership effectively creates a shared ecosystem for F1 fans, breaking the usual walls that keep these platforms separated. Usually, these companies fight tooth and nail for exclusivity, but the rising costs of sports rights seem to have fostered a rare moment of peace.
The deal centers on two major pillars of racing content. Apple has its high-budget F1 feature film starring Brad Pitt, while Netflix holds the crown with its culture-defining docuseries, Drive to Survive. By joining forces, they are ensuring that fans do not have to hop between subscriptions to get their racing fix.
How does this partnership work?
Under the terms of this agreement, the upcoming Brad Pitt film, directed by Joseph Kosinski, will land on both Apple TV Plus and Netflix after its theatrical run. In exchange, Netflix is giving Apple the rights to stream earlier seasons of Drive to Survive. It is a win for both sides. Apple gets a built-in audience of millions of established racing fans, and Netflix gets to host a big-budget blockbuster that it did not have to produce from scratch.
Apple and Netflix are teaming up to share Formula 1 programming because they realize the audience for this sport is incredibly loyal and highly active. Instead of trying to steal viewers from one another, they are looking to expand the total pool of viewers. For Apple, this is a chance to prove that their foray into sports movies can reach the same scale as a traditional Hollywood studio.
This will change how we consume Formula 1
It is pretty evident now that Formula 1 has exploded in popularity in the United States, and much of that is thanks to the storytelling seen on streaming devices. By having Apple and Netflix teaming up to share Formula 1 programming, the sport reaches a level of visibility that a single platform could not achieve alone. This is not about live races, which are still handled by broadcasters like ESPN, but about the storytelling that happens between the Sundays.
The industry is watching this closely. If this works, we might see similar deals for other sports like soccer or basketball. The overhead for high-end sports production is massive. Sharing the burden allows these companies to keep their library fresh without breaking the bank. It suggests a future where streaming services act more like cable channels that occasionally share the same popular shows.
Apple and Netflix are teaming up to share Formula 1 programming to capitalize on the 2026 racing season, which many expect to be a pivotal year for the sport. The collaboration is expected to officially begin appearing in your apps later this summer.
