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Amazon, Netflix ‘set to bid for Formula 1 US TV rights’

Current rights holder ESPN is expected to face competition from NBCUniversal as well as streaming services Amazon and Netflix

Four media companies are set to go head-to-head in the race to win the next round of TV rights for Formula 1 in the United States.

According to Business Insider, current rights holder ESPN is expected to face competition from NBCUniversal as well as streaming services Amazon and Netflix.

Formula 1 has become more popular in the States in recent years thanks to the return of the United States Grand Prix, as well as Netflix’s F1 documentary series Drive to Survive.

The report states that Disney currently pays $5 million per year to air Grands Prix in the US. The company is thought to have submitted a bid of $70 million, however the sport’s owner Liberty Media is said to be looking for $100 million per year.

Netflix is yet to enter the world of sports streaming, but could see Formula 1 as an attractive option for bringing in new subscribers. Business Insider suggests Netflix co-CEOs Reed Hastings and Ted Sarandos have been exploring options with Formula 1 and other sports.

Amazon Prime already has the rights to the NFL’s Thursday Night Football schedule, while Apple TV Plus has started streaming Major League Baseball games.