All races, qualifications and training can be followed live on Viaplay, including local commentary, as well as extensive previews and afterthoughts, talk shows, summaries, documentaries and everything about three-time world champion Max Verstappen. In addition to the extension of the rights package, the collaboration with F1 TV Pro will also be continued in the Netherlands.
With more than 700 million fans, Formula 1 continues to evolve as one of the world’s most popular and exciting sports. After a record number of visitors of 6 million in 2023, Formula 1 is now in the longest season in history.
Formula 1 has around 5 million fans in the Netherlands, 50% of whom have started following the sport in the past 5 years. In 2023, the number of viewers in the Netherlands increased to 12 million, 35% more than in 2022.
Each Formula 1 weekend attracts an average of 70 million viewers. In 2023, a total of 1.5 billion people worldwide were watching. The sport’s fan base is becoming increasingly younger and more diverse: 40% of fans are women, one in three TV viewers is under the age of 35 and one in three fans have started following the sport in the past four years. In 2023, Formula 1 was the fastest growing sport in the world on social media for the fourth year in a row.
Peter Nørrelund, Viaplay Group EVP and Chief Sports & Business Development Officer: “We have been the home base for Formula 1 for many years. Just like the racing teams, we are always looking for that extra advantage to stay at the top as a company. We will always continue to challenge and innovate so that we can serve the viewer optimally. Every race weekend we are in the paddock, pit lane and on the track to let the expert and passionate fans in the Netherlands and Scandinavia enjoy the most breathtaking show in the world: Formula 1.”
Roger Lodewick, CEO Viaplay Netherlands: “We are very proud that Formula 1 will also be part of our Viaplay offering for the next five years. The sport was an important part of the launch of Viaplay in the Netherlands. Now, two and a half years later, we have a great team, a varied and high-quality product and a bright future ahead. With our new local organizational structure, we are now even better able to respond to the needs of the Dutch public and to anchor Viaplay even better in the Dutch media landscape.”
Max Verstappen, three-time world champion: “I am very happy that Viaplay has concluded this long-term agreement with Formula 1. They, like me, strive for perfection. I am therefore looking forward to continuing our collaboration. It’s great that Viaplay is bringing my achievements closer to the viewers.”
Ian Holmes, Formula 1 Director of Media Rights, said: “Formula 1 and Viaplay share a common vision to produce world-class broadcasting so fans can enjoy all the thrill, drama and excitement on the edge of their sofas. Thanks to our dedication, we have seen viewership increase consistently year after year and our passionate fan base continues to grow. This historic agreement is linked to the partnership with F1 TV Pro, F1’s own streaming service, and ensures that fans will not miss any of the best action on and off the track for years to come.”
In the Netherlands, Viaplay and Formula 1 continue to collaborate, allowing Viaplay customers to use F1 TV Pro as part of their subscription at no additional cost. Through F1 TV Pro, fans can enjoy additional options such as international commentary, multiple onboard cameras, pit lane action, paddock streams, radio communications and much more. F1 TV Pro remains available as a stand-alone service in both the Netherlands and Scandinavia.
Viaplay and Max Verstappen have a long-term partnership. The world champion has been featured in exclusive documentaries such as Verstappen: Lion Unleashed and Anatomy of a Champion. Both titles are among the most popular programs on the Viaplay platform. Verstappen is also an ambassador for the streaming service.
Year subscription
As of today, Viaplay is reintroducing a new annual subscription. With this subscription, viewers can enjoy the best sports for a year for a lower price. With this special promotion, the viewer pays only € 13.79 per month for a term of 12 months. This is a total saving of almost 50 euros per year compared to a monthly subscription. This annual subscription is now available until May 21, 2024.
In addition to Formula 1, Viaplay’s sports rights package in the Netherlands includes Premier League and Bundesliga football, PDC Darts, the EFL Championship, Carabao Cup, Tulp Hoofdklasse Hockey, Enfusion and much more.
Source: Viaplay/BM
Tags: Viaplay Group extends Formula rights Netherlands Scandinavian countries
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