Channel 10 Loses F1 Broadcasting Rights After 15-Year Run

Channel 10 Loses F1 Broadcasting Rights After 15-Year Run...

Formula 1 fans in the U.S. woke up to surprising news Monday as Channel 10 confirmed it will no longer broadcast races after the 2026 season. The network's 15-year partnership with F1 ends due to a new exclusive deal between the racing league and a rival broadcaster.

The shakeup comes as F1 continues its aggressive U.S. expansion, with three American races now on the calendar. Industry analysts suggest the move reflects F1's push for higher production values and digital integration that Channel 10 couldn't match.

Social media erupted with reactions from longtime viewers. "This feels like losing a trusted friend every race weekend," tweeted @F1Fanatic42, echoing sentiments from many fans who grew accustomed to Channel 10's commentary team.

The network's final broadcast will be the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December. F1 officials confirmed all races will move to a streaming-first platform starting with the 2027 season opener in Melbourne.

Channel 10 sports director Mark Johnson acknowledged the disappointment in a statement: "We're proud of our F1 legacy but recognize the sport's evolving needs." The network will replace F1 coverage with expanded NASCAR and IndyCar programming.

This marks the second major U.S. broadcasting change for F1 in five years, following ESPN's acquisition of rights from NBC in 2021. The sport's American viewership has tripled since 2018, driven largely by Netflix's "Drive to Survive" documentary series.

Current subscribers to Channel 10's F1 streaming service will receive prorated refunds. The network plans a farewell special highlighting memorable moments from its F1 coverage history later this year.