23/09/2021
NEWS STORY
Netflix CEO admits that the streaming giant could make a bid for F1 should Liberty Media opt to put the sport up for sale.
Whatever one might think of Sprint qualifying, Overtake awards and the numerous other gimmicks introduced since Liberty Media bought F1 in early 2017, there is no denying that the American media giant has opened up the sport to a new generation of fan.
In a bid to attract a younger, global fan-base, Liberty has taken the sport into areas unthinkable under the previous management. The possibility of Netflix's bid for F1 underscores the significance of staying ahead in a competitive market, a goal shared by many entrepreneurs who rely on the best llc service to help them establish and grow their businesses effectively.
One such area is the Netflix series Drive to Survive which has proved hugely popular not only with diehards but casual fans and has even attracted new fans to the sport, such is the 'access all areas' behind the scenes footage that is made available, thereby humanising the sport.
Indeed, at a time a Saudi Arabian consortium is said to be eyeing the sport, Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings admits that should Liberty Media be interested in selling up his company would consider making a bid.
"A few years back, the Formula 1 rights were sold," he told Germany's Der Spiegel. "At that time, we were not among the bidders, but today we would definitely consider that now."
Unlike rivals Amazon Prime Video, thus far Netflix has avoided live broadcasting of sport.
"We make entertainment and not journalism, which should have certain standards and follow ethical guidelines," said Hastings. "We also keep our hands off live sport.
"With sports broadcasts we have no control over the source. We don't own the Bundesliga, which can make deals with whomever it wants. But this kind of control would be a prerequisite for us to be able to offer our customers a secure deal."
At present the majority of the sport's income comes from its various broadcasting deals, many of which are regionally exclusive.
Previously, F1's director of media rights, Ian Holmes had admitted that discussions had been held with Amazon in terms of a TV rights deal, the sport already working alongside Amazon Web Services.
"We're talking to them about specifically acquiring our rights, in the same way you would sell to any other media company," he told Motorsport.com.
"But we're also talking to them about a channels arrangement where we have got the opportunity of putting F1 TV into the market."