Key Points
- C15 Studio renewed its multi-year deal with Formula 1 to operate the U.S.-based FAST Formula 1 Channel, adding live rights to the 2026 F1 Academy Series.
- The channel will stream all 14 F1 Academy races live in 2026, expanding beyond replays and archival programming launched in 2024.
- The Formula 1 Channel is distributed across major platforms including Fubo, Pluto TV, Prime Video, Samsung TV Plus and The Roku Channel.
C15 Studio has renewed its multi-year partnership with Formula 1 to continue operating and distributing the Formula 1 Channel in the United States, with the updated agreement adding live rights to the 2026 F1 Academy Series.
Launched in 2024, the Formula 1 channel is a free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel that offers curated programming that aims to appeal to Formula 1 fans, including classic Grand Prix races, documentaries and full replays of all 24 Formula 1 Grands Prix and support series races five days after each event.
Under the renewed deal, the channel will air the 2026 F1 Academy Series live for the first time, expanding its role within Formula 1’s U.S. media ecosystem. F1 Academy is an all-female racing series launched in 2023 to identify and develop female drivers for progression into higher tiers of single-seater competition.
The 2026 Formula 1 Academy calendar will feature 14 races across seven rounds, beginning in China from March 13–15 and continuing in Saudi Arabia from April 17–19, Canada from May 22–24, Great Britain from July 3–5 and the Netherlands from August 21–23. The season will conclude with two U.S. rounds at Circuit of The Americas from October 23–25 and Las Vegas from November 19–21. Live coverage of the 2026 season will open at the Shanghai International Circuit on March 13.
“Since launching the F1 Channel in 2024, the growth we’ve seen has been exceptional, underlining the strong demand from fans for always-on access to Formula 1 content,” Joe Nlisson, the co-Founder and CEO of C15 Studio, said in a statement. “Extending our partnership with Formula 1 and adding live F1 Academy racing to the channel in 2026 represents an exciting next phase of that collaboration, and a clear endorsement of the strength behind our partnership. F1 Academy is shaping the future of the sport, and we’re proud to share that journey live with audiences on the F1 Channel.”
Ian Holmes, the Chief Media Rights and Broadcasting Officer of Formula 1, said the C15 Studio-led channel has served as an effective entry point for the sport’s expanding American fan base.
“This renewed partnership and the addition of live sessions for the 2026 F1 ACADEMY Series on the channel elevate the platform’s programming and perfectly supports our world-class live broadcast offering with new rights holder Apple TV,” Holmes said.
The Formula 1 Channel is available across major streaming platforms in the U.S., including Fubo, LG Channels, Plex, Pluto TV, Prime Video, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel and V (formerly VIDAA). Live Grands Prix and additional race coverage remain available through Apple TV, Formula 1’s U.S. broadcast partner.
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