In a surprise deal, Apple and Netflix are teaming up for select Formula 1 programming.
The deal will include Netflix simulcasting the F1 Canadian Grand Prix May 22-24 (it will also be on Apple TV, of course), and with Apple TV getting streaming rights to season eight of Drive to Survive alongside Netflix.
Drive to Survive will land on Apple TV at midnight tonight, the same day it debuts on Netflix.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior VP of services, announced the deal in a conference call with reporters Thursday.
The deal delivers something for each company: Apple gets F1 shoulder programming that it can place alongside the live races, and expanded reach for its F1 programming through the Canadian Grand Prix simulcast. Netflix, meanwhile, will get live F1 racing in the U.S. in May, continuing its strategy of frequent live event event programming.
In fact, the Netflix deal is just one of many efforts that Apple is taking to expand the reach of F1 ahead of the season kickoff next month in Melbourne, Australia. As with its deals with MLB and MLS, Apple will be integrating F1 content and programming within its other apps, including in Apple news (which will offer live look-ins to races), Apple Maps, Apple Music, and its other apps.
More to come.