Formula 1 "could be set to team up with Netflix," according to GMM. Germany's Welt newspaper reported Liberty Media is "in talks with the internet company," with a deal that "has the potential to revolutionize how F1 is broadcast." F1 Managing Dir, Commercial Operations Sean Bratches said, "Liberty Media has been trying to expand the presence of Formula 1 in multimedia channels. We are talking to Netflix about a collaboration from 2018 onwards." German newspaper Bild quoted Bratches as saying, "The internet is of great importance to us. We are in the development phase." The reports said that a deal for live broadcast rights is "not initially likely, with Netflix expected to instead show other feature content, highlights and replays." McLaren F1 Exec Dir Zak Brown said, "We've seen a lot of activity this year. They (Liberty) are trying new things, really engaging with the fans" (GMM, 10/21). AUTOSPORT's Jonathan Noble reported Bratches said that F1 had no choice but to pursue an "over the top" offering if it was "going to attract bigger future audiences." He said, "We have an obligation to our fans, quite candidly, to ensure that they are able to access our content in any means they want. We would be derelict if we pursued a path for anything other than that." Bratches is "looking at opportunities to work with global media companies to create more content that is suitable for them." He said, "We are trying to create content that lives outside the grand prix weekends, which has been almost non-existent from digital or linear standpoints" (AUTOSPORT, 10/21).
RADIO DEAL: Formula 1 and SiriusXM entered a multi-year agreement that makes SiriusXM the exclusive North American radio broadcaster of all F1 races. SiriusXM's exclusive coverage of the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, aired live on Sunday. The four remaining '17 F1 races will also air on SiriusXM. Starting with the '18 season, SiriusXM will air every GP on the calendar (F1).
