In 2019, Netflix launched a docu-series show called “Drive to Survive.” The first season followed the 2018 Formula One calendar. Although the sport is incredibly popular in other countries, it had not found its footing in the U.S. until after the show premiered. The show's success is shown through the growth in viewership in the U.S., and it is almost impossible for other sports to replicate.
“Drive to Survive” is a docu-series similar to the likes of “Hard Knocks” or “Quarterbacks,” in which a team or athlete is followed to showcase them on and off the track. Season Seven was recently released and viewership numbers are not available for the latest edition yet. However, at the show’s peak in season four, it reached the number one show spot on Netflix in 33 countries. Season Six’s premiere had 2.9 million viewers within the first three days of release. F1 before “Drive to Survive” had a primarily European audience, but Netflix’s series pushed the sport into the American market.
The show is so successful because it was made with everyone in mind. The show doesn’t dive deeply into the complicated rules and regulations that F1 has, instead focusing on the mental struggle drivers face and the budget constraints teams deal with. It relies heavily on the personalities of drivers and team principles to explain what is happening. This new approach to the show drove up viewership for the actual sport. The average age of fans dropped from 36 to 32, and female viewership is up.
With the success of “Drive to Survive,” Netflix decided to make similar shows but for different sports. There are now shows like “Six Nations: Full Contact,” “NASCAR: Full Speed,” “Break Point” and “Full Swing.” The NHL even released its own version of a docu-series called “FACEOFF: Inside the NHL.” This show is on Amazon Prime and it recently got renewed for a second season.
Some of those shows have been successful. “NASCAR: Full Speed” brings in new fans to the sport, and “Full Swing” is contributing to the rise in popularity of golf. Other shows have had lackluster viewership and haven’t been able to break into the American Market.
“Six Nations: Full Contact” follows the rugby men's Six Nations championship. Similar to F1, rugby is not too popular in the U.S. The show debuted among the top three shows on Netflix in the UK but has not shown significant ratings in the U.S. “Break Point,” a show about tennis, was cancelled after two seasons due to lack of success.
With the success of “Drive to Survive” producers thought there would be more demand for similar sports docu-series. However, using the same format of “Drive to Survive” lacked passion and originality. The personality of Daniel Riccardo, the looks of Charles Leclerc and the dramatization of rivalries is what make “Drive to Survive” so special. No sports docu-series will be able to replicate what “Drive to Survive” did for the growth of F1.
Cassie is a junior studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu.
