Apple TV and F1 megadeal
Apple TV signed an exclusive five-year deal with Formula One racing which will bring all live races to the service starting in 2026. ESPN previously held the rights. Apple TV subscribers will have access to all practice, qualifying, Sprint and Grand Prix races as well as F1 TV Premium. Apple will also incorporate iPhone notifications, including real-time statistics, season driver and constructor standings; live activities shown on the lock screen, and a widget for the home screen. F1 will also be expanded across Apple News, Maps, Music, and Fitness+ apps. Apple already had a strong relationship with F1 having released “F1 The Movie” starring Brad Pitt this past summer in theaters, finishing #1 at the box office. The film makes its streaming debut on Apple TV in December. Apple has been heavily investing in sports recently signing packages with MLB and MLS.
The Circana Take:
- Apple continues to deepen its position as a source of sports entertainment while giving fans another reason to tune in. But will this be enough to compete with the likes of ESPN Unlimited and FOX One?
Disney officially owns Fubo
Disney closed the deal to add Fubo on top of the companies virtual MVPD offering, Hulu + Live TV. The combined offerings will offer over 50,000 live sporting events and entertainment programs from both entities. Fubo and Hulu + Live TV will continue to be offered as separate services at various plan options and price points. Hulu + Live TV will be streamed in the Hulu app and offered as part of a bundle with Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN Unlimited, while Fubo will be streamed in the Fubo app.
The Circana Take:
- If you can’t beat them, buy them. Following the lawsuit Fubo filed over the now defunct Venu sports service, Disney opted to purchase the competitor. In doing so, it has now bolstered its sports distribution and vMVPD subscriber base.
- It's only a matter of time before the company integrates the Fubo and Hulu Live TV services, but how much tech development can one company do at a time? Indeed, integrating Hulu into Disney+ is no small undertaking, and then there is that brand new ESPN Unlimited which will need some nurturing.
MSNBC sets date for MS NOW rebrand
MSNBC will officially change its name to MS NOW on November 15. MSNBC will no longer be associated with NBCUniversal and is moving to the media company, Versant. The network is rolling out a marketing campaign called “Same Mission. New Name,” informing its viewers of the changes. MS NOW will differentiate itself from MSNBC by gathering its own news staff and recruiting reporters and producers from well-known outlets including The Washington Post, NBC News, Politico and Bloomberg. MSNBC also has a deal with Sky News where it will offer Sky News’ international coverage to MSNBC’s viewers in the U.S.
The Circana Take:
- The exclusion of the NBC name and logo will be a challenge as MSNBC will need to build up its brand recognition. And, then there was that industry backlash at the new branding. In the end, the quality of the reporting and programming will determine long term success.