Formula 1 parent company Liberty Media is close to agreeing a coverage deal for the motor-racing world championship with online streaming service Netflix.
The sport’s commercial chief, Sean Bratches told Sports Business, “Liberty Media has always focused on the expansion of multimedia services. We believe that in today’s world we need a greater openness to the internet and in this sense we have projects in the pipeline. We are also discussing with Netflix about a partnership from 2018, but at the moment I can’t add anything.”
Formula 1’s new owners Liberty Global have been looking to further commercialise grand prix coverage and broadcasts.
However, anything beyond highlights packages seems unlikely as a series of long term exclusive deals are in place with several major television broadcasters.
The news comes after Formula 1 and Sirius XM radio announced a multi-year agreement allowing the satellite radio provider to broadcast live races. That deal is effective immediately with the first broadcast being this weekends Untied States Grand Prix.