Drive to Survive Expands to Apple TV
▼ Summary
– The eighth season of Netflix’s F1 docuseries “Drive to Survive” will premiere on both Netflix and Apple TV, ending its previous exclusivity to Netflix.
– This change is due to Apple TV securing a five-year deal to be the US streaming home for F1 races, allowing its subscribers to watch the series without switching services.
– In exchange, Netflix gains the rights to livestream the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix weekend to its US subscribers.
– F1’s CEO believes the partnership with Apple will expand the sport’s reach in the mature US market, complementing Apple’s existing F1 movie projects.
– Despite this collaboration, Netflix content remains unsearchable from within the main Apple TV app.
The upcoming eighth season of the hit Formula 1 docuseries F1: Drive to Survive will premiere simultaneously on both Netflix and Apple TV, marking a significant shift in its distribution. This move follows Apple’s landmark five-year agreement to become the exclusive US streaming home for live F1 races. For American subscribers, this means the entire new season will be accessible directly through Apple TV, eliminating the need to switch between services to follow the series alongside the actual Grand Prix events.
Previously a Netflix exclusive, the documentary series that dramatically boosted F1’s popularity in the United States will now debut its latest installment on both platforms this Friday. In exchange for sharing the docuseries, Netflix secures a valuable live sports offering for its US audience. The streamer will provide a live broadcast of the entire 2026 Canadian Grand Prix weekend, scheduled for May 22nd through the 24th. This represents a major foray into premium live sports for Netflix, focusing on a prestigious racing event rather than celebrity boxing matches.
F1’s broadcasting landscape has evolved considerably, with races previously airing on ESPN. In discussions about the new partnership, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasized the potential for expanded reach through Apple. He noted that the collaboration allows the sport to test its appeal in what is considered a highly mature market, with expectations for significant future growth. Apple’s deepening investment in motorsport extends beyond live racing; the company is also behind the critically acclaimed Brad Pitt-led F1 film, which earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination and is confirmed to receive a sequel.
Despite this collaborative effort surrounding Formula 1 content, the broader relationship between the two streaming giants remains compartmentalized. Subscribers still cannot search for or discover Netflix’s extensive library directly from within the main Apple TV application interface. This lack of integration means viewers must continue to navigate to the standalone Netflix app to explore its offerings, even as specific high-profile titles like Drive to Survive begin to bridge the gap between the competing platforms.
(Source: The Verge)
