Formula 1, the iconic international motor racing series, has today unveiled a new, 24/7, subscription-free channel launching for US fans.
F1 viewers in that market will be able to view F1, F2, and F3 race replays and highlights via the Formula 1 Channel, as well as reruns of classic grands prix and feature-length documentaries.
The free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel, launching in advance of the 2024 F1 Miami Grand Prix on May 5, is set to be operated by the C15 Studio firm and will be distributed “via leading services” including Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, and Pluto TV.
The channel is intended to support F1’s existing hefty broadcast presence in the US, where live race rights are held by ESPN and ABC in a tie-up running through the 2025 season (which also includes the Spanish-language station ESPN Deportes).
That deal has been valued at $85 million per year.
The F1 TV direct-to-consumer streaming service also provides live coverage in the US for its subscribers.
Replays, detailed highlights, and analysis of the F1 action will be available to watch five days after each race is held via the FAST channel.
Ian Holmes, Formula 1’s media rights and content creation director, said: “Together with C15 Studio, we hope to develop the Formula 1 Channel into an industry-leading product that serves alongside our existing live broadcast offering with ESPN and F1 TV, to give fans a truly comprehensive F1 experience 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
F1 claims to have a fanbase of 42 million in the US and record TV audiences in that market.
There are set to be four F1 races across the US and Canada this year (and another in Mexico City) - a testament to the series’ rising popularity in the North America region - with the Miami GP being the first.
The 24-race F1 season began in early March and will end on December 8.
In terms of FAST channels for US sports properties in the US, meanwhile, early April saw basketball's NBA announce a partnership with streaming platform Roku that will see it officially launch its first-ever channel of that nature on the platform.
