OTT Pioneer Formula 1 Could Be Bringing Its F1 TV Service to Amazon Prime
Partnership with Amazon Web Services could open new fan-engagement doors for the auto-racing giant
Story Highlights
Formula 1, which just launched its direct-to-consumer OTT service, F1 TV, earlier this year, is already looking for avenues to take its offerings more global. Last week, it was revealed that F1 TV may be coming to Amazon Prime in certain markets, including here in the U.S. via Amazon Prime Video.
F1 TV, an OTT service from Formula 1, launched earlier this year. Now the service may be coming to Amazon Prime Video in selected markets.
Last week, Formula One Group struck an intriguing deal with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to move the majority of its infrastructure from on-premises data centers into the cloud with AWS and standardizing on AWS’s machine-learning and data-analytics services to accelerate that cloud transformation. In addition, F1 will work with AWS on projects related to race strategies, data-tracking systems, and enhancing digital broadcasts through AWS services.
The natural connection there includes building out unique viewing experiences of F1 TV over Amazon Prime.
In a conversation with Digiday, Murray Barnett, head of global sponsorships and commercial partnerships, F1 said,
“It makes sense for us to be on [Amazon Prime] because it’s an open platform and we’re already in discussions with them about distribution in the future. In the U.S., we have an agreement with ESPN that allows us to exploit our own OTT service separately so we’ll definitely be on Amazon Prime [there].
“We want to be one of the smarter channels on the Amazon Prime platform. F1 TV is part of how we’re building a direct relationship with our fans because that’s always been something that’s run through our promoters or TV partners. We see F1 TV as an independent revenue stream outside of the relationship with our TV partners.”
Deeper Insight Into F1 TV
F1 will offer an exclusive look inside the big launch of F1 TV and what the organization has learned so far, when David Bailey, senior digital research manager, F1, offers an in-depth case study at the SVG Sports OTT Forum on July 26 in New York City.
This OTT experience case study will focus on the huge global fan base and established broadcast business that underpins F1’s success. Bailey will discuss such topics as the digital priorities they set for themselves, including the launch of F1 TV; their research to identify and segment the F1 audience: meet the “Habituals,” “Purists,” “Sociables.” and “Excitables”; building the case for F1 TV with focus groups, social listening, and user testing (and their per-market pricing and packaging); the determination to make F1 TV the greatest OTT racing spectacle on earth; and how a “fans come first” philosophy reveals itself.
To learn more about the SVG Sports OTT Forum and how to attend, contact SVG Director of Digital Brandon Costa at [email protected].
