Formula 1 launching F1 TV streaming service for 2018 season

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
published

Formula 1 is set to put the pedal to the metal with a new streaming service, F1 TV.

Tuning in to Formula 1 races can be a difficult prospect depending on where you're located, but things are set to get quite a bit easier starting with the upcoming 2018 season. Formula 1 has announced F1 TV (opens in new tab), a new streaming service that will offer up a one-stop shop to stream live races and more (via Engadget).

Launching with the 2018 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season, F1 TV will cost between $8 and $12 per month and include commercial-free live streams of each race with commentary in multiple languages. All 20 driver on-board cameras will be available to view, and F1 TV Pro subscribers will get access to unique feeds not available elsewhere.

Formula 1 says that alongside races, subscribers will also get access to press conferences and interviews before and after each race, as well as practice and qualifying sessions. That's in addition to live statistics available at a glance for each race.

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At first, F1 TV will be available "through desktop and web," but mobile apps and TV apps for Apple, Android, and Amazon devices will be "phased in" later. F1 TV Pro will launch in English, French, German, and Spanish in the U.S., Mexico, France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, and "much of Latin America." A cheaper, non-live option dubbed F1 TV Access will also be available with access to timing data and radio commentary, along with access to archive video content.

If you're a Formula 1 fan, F1 TV definitely looks to be an interesting prospect. The service is expected to launch early in the 2018 season, and you can sign up to register your interest at Formula 1 (opens in new tab) now.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

18 Comments
  • This is great, especially for people outside Europe. I wonder what they will do for commentary.
  • ^that...I enjoy Sky team coverage so not sure how the F1 direct will compare.
  • I hope there's an xbox app as well. I tried using MotoGP's videopass and it's web video player needed flash so I couldn't use xbox to watch on my TV
  • I bet it will not be available in the UK, Sky would put a stop that as they want people to pay their sky high prices.  TBH, I am not sure if I want to watch F1 anymore, it used to be good, but then it got boring, I watch formula E these days on catch up,   
  • Yeah UK isn't on there. So my interest in F1 continues to fade. Not paying Sky to watch a procession.
  • "through desktop and web," which should mean by now, all across Windows 10 devices, right?
  • Expect it not to work on a Windows phone if that's what you're getting at.
  • Doubt they will have an XBox app, will be interesting if it works through the browser on the XBox however. Will depend on the video they use (hopefully not Flash).
  • Man I am so happy about this!
  • Mind blown at this news and Windows first. Crazy.
  • Wonder if you will be able to record. With the time difference here in the States watching live is sometimes not really feasible.
  • I imagine, if you get the Pro sub, you'll be able to watch whenever you like.
  • Another $8-12 per month? On top of all the other services people want or need to have today? Sorry, but I'll pass. The way things are going we will end up paying hundreds of dollars per month once all these services are added up including our monthly ISP bill. Sell me the app for $20 and sell advertising during the broadcasts and I'll consider it. But not another monthly charge along with too many others.
  • Barcham, the whole idea for services like this to not have commercials or advertisements. You want commercials, subscribe to cable or satellite and get the sports package. There's your $20 for the sports package that will get you more than just F1.  Many people have no problem paying more for commercial or ad free services. I'm in Canada (from what I can see...we're not getting this...blah) but I would spend upwards of $150-200 for the season because this is exactly what I'm looking for. Mutliple camera's, HD stream, commercial free. I pay for Prime Video, Netflix and MLB TV already. All commerical free. All how I want it.     
  • Another way to look at it is $5.71 per race weekend. Seems like a pretty good deal to me. I'm guessing that if they had put together a per race system, like a pay per view, it would have been way more than that.
  • Have to admit I'm kind of surprised ESPN allowed this in the States. As the new rights holder i would have thought they would have kept it locked up to thier TV channels.
  • Looking forward to it, especially access to all 20 driver views...
  • This is awesome. Someone should tell them to code a PWA.