Fuji TV, the Japanese commercial network, will be the sole broadcaster for motor racing’s top-tier Formula 1 (F1) in the country after securing exclusive rights for the next five years.
Fuji TV has covered F1 action since 1987, but has shared the rights with global sports streaming service DAZN since 2018, with the pair last renewing their respective rights deals in 2023. Those agreements gave both broadcasters rights to air all races live until the end of 2025.
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Fuji TV’s new deal, however, will see the network provide exclusive live coverage of all races, practice and qualifying sessions, as well as sprint events in Japan from 2026 to 2030, which it will air across its linear and digital channels, including its Next Live Premium channel, Nextsmart service, and FOD platform.
In addition, highlights of at least five rounds in 2026 will be available to watch on terrestrial television.
Ian Holmes, chief media rights and broadcasting officer of F1, has said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Fuji TV. They have been with us since F1 first started racing in Japan, and we thank them and are humbled by their commitment over those years.
“F1 is experiencing huge growth globally, reaching new and more diverse audiences, and we are pleased to share that growth with them as our long-term partner. We know Fuji TV will continue to innovate and develop how F1 is showcased across Japan, and look forward to seeing even more fans being welcomed to the sport.”
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By GlobalDataAccording to F1, there are currently 16.8 million fans in Japan, up 20% from 2022. The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix marked the largest post-Covid attendance, with 260,000 weekend attendees and a 26% increase in domestic TV audiences.
To service F1’s growing fanbase in the country, Fuji TV has pledged to expand and elevate its coverage with a line-up of programs such as F1 GP News, which will deliver an in-depth review of each Grand Prix, a five-hour ‘Formula 1 Season Review’ during the off-season and footage showcasing the most iconic moments from previous races.
As part of the deal, F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium, the competition’s premium streaming service that provides live race coverage and other content, will also become available in Japan to complement Fuji TV’s coverage.
Features of F1 TV Pro and Premium include access to driver on-board cameras, team radio, and in-depth data alongside exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Kenji Shimizu, president and chief executive of Fuji Television Network, Inc., stated: “Since commencing our F1 broadcasts in 1987, we have brought audiences countless moments of excitement and emotion—from the legendary on-track battles between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost to the high-octane wheel-to-wheel racing of today.
“We are deeply honored to enter into an exclusive five-year agreement for the broadcast of F1 and OTT distribution of F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium in Japan, commencing in 2026.”
The new deal comes shortly after F1 announced streaming giant Apple as its exclusive broadcast partner in the US for the 2026-30 cycle in a deal reportedly worth $700 million in total.
Elsewhere, other F1 rights deals have been secured this year with Coupang Play (South Korea), Globo (Brazil), Sky (New Zealand), Sky Sports (Mexico), Arena Sport (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), CME (Croatia and Slovenia), and Play Sports (Belgium).
The 2026 F1 season will incorporate 24 races across five continents, including the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29.
