Roku is motoring into the live-sports game: The streaming platform landed a multiyear deal with electric-car racing circuit Formula E to stream a batch of races exclusively in the U.S.
Under the pact with London-based Formula E — an upstart modeled on the much bigger and more popular Formula One series — Roku will stream 11 races per season on the Roku Channel for viewers in the U.S. starting in 2024. In addition, CBS Sports has secured rights to five Formula E races each season, which the company will broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount+ With Showtime.
Beginning in January 2024, five races will air live on CBS and simulcast on Paramount+ (both of which are available on Roku’s platform). And starting with the next season, 11 races in what is officially called the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will be available on the Roku Channel. In addition to the live races, Roku Channel will stock Formula E library content, including docuseries “Unplugged,” race previews, highlights and replays of all races.
“It’s an honor to partner with Formula E on Roku’s first-ever live sports partnership, making it easier for millions of TV streamers to discover the thrill of Formula E races through the unique integrated viewing experiences only available on Roku,” David Eilenberg, Roku Media’s head of content, said in a prepared statement.
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Aarti Dabas, Formula E’s chief media officer, commented: “This is a powerful new partnership with CBS and Roku that will dramatically increase Formula E’s audience reach and maximize discoverability of our programming in the USA. We value the strength of our ongoing relationship with CBS and are delighted to join forces with Roku and supercharge Formula E content on their market-leading platform.”
Terms of the deals weren’t disclosed (including the term length). For Roku, the addition of live sports will expand Roku Channel’s reach into a new content category. Launched in 2017, the Roku Channel reached U.S. households with an estimated 100 million people as of the end of 2022, offering a mixed of ad-supported programming and premium subscription services. Currently, the Roku Channel features a lineup of more than 80,000 free movies and programs and 350-plus free live linear TV channels in the U.S.
Formula E is a single-seater motorsport championship for electric cars. The series was conceived in 2011 by FIA’s then-president Jean Todt and Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag, who is also the current chairman of Formula E Holdings.
Formula E released a provisional calendar for 2024, marking its 10th season:
| Event | Round(s) | Location | Date(s) |
| 1 | 1 | Mexico City | Jan. 13 |
| 2 | 2 & 3 | Diriyah, Saudi Arabia | Jan. 26-27 |
| 3 | 4 | TBD | Feb. 10 |
| 4 | 5 | TBD | Feb. 24 |
| 5 | 6 | São Paulo, Brazil | March 16 |
| 6 | 7 | Tokyo | March 30 |
| 7 | 8 & 9 | Rome | April 13-14 |
| 8 | 10 | Monaco | April 27 |
| 9 | 11 & 12 | Berlin | May 11-12 |
| 10 | 13 | TBD | May 25 |
| 11 | 14 | Jakarta, Indonesia | June 8 |
| 12 | 15 | Portland, Ore. | June 29 |
| 13 | 16 & 17 | London | July 20-21 |
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