Formula E races to Disney+, ESPN+ streaming deal
▼ Summary
– Formula E signed a multiyear deal to broadcast on Disney+ and ESPN+ in 144 countries starting in season 12 this December, covering every ePrix from practice to race.
– The new streaming deal replaces Roku as the U.S. broadcaster for Formula E, which had shown races live since 2023.
– Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds called the Disney deal a landmark moment, citing Disney’s global reach and storytelling to attract new fans and boost growth in the GEN4 era.
– The GEN4 car debuts in December, featuring a twin-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain with 603 hp nominal power, rising to 804 hp in Attack Mode.
– The GEN4 car’s power output will match a 2027-spec Formula 1 car’s 602 hp from its V6 engine when the battery is depleted.
Formula E is heading to Disney+ and ESPN+ in a major broadcast shakeup, with the all-electric series locking in a multiyear streaming partnership that will cover races in 144 countries. Starting with season 12 this December, every ePrix will air live on the platforms from practice sessions through qualifying and the race itself. For U.S. viewers, this marks a notable shift, since the sport has called Roku home since 2023.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds framed the agreement as a turning point for the series. “This is a landmark moment for Formula E and reflects the incredible momentum behind our Championship,” he said. “Disney’s unrivaled global reach and storytelling will introduce Formula E to millions of new fans while bringing them closer than ever to the drama, innovation, and excitement of electric racing. As we enter the GEN4 era, this provides an exceptional platform to accelerate our global growth and continue building one of the world’s most exciting sports properties.”
The timing is hardly accidental. Season 12 also marks the debut of the GEN4 car, a machine that was already generating serious buzz before this deal landed. The new racer doubles the output of its predecessor, boasting a nominal 603 hp (450 kW) from a twin-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain, with Attack Mode pushing that figure to 804 hp (600 kW). For a large portion of any given lap, that means a Formula E GEN4 car will match the power of a 2027-spec Formula 1 car. The F1 machine, by contrast, is limited to just 602 hp from its V6 engine when the battery runs flat.
(Source: Ars Technica)
