The new prices for a subscription to F1TV Pro have been announced and it will undoubtedly have been a bit of a shock for subscribers. After all, prices have risen considerably.
Especially in the Netherlands, people are reacting with awe to the price increase of F1TV Pro, the Formula 1 streaming service that allows you to watch live F1 races in addition to historical images. In the Netherlands, the price for an annual subscription will be increased from 64.99 euros to 94.99 euros. You read that right, the price for an annual subscription will be increased by almost 50 percent, a monthly subscription will now cost 11.99 euros.
Of course, reference can be made to increasing costs and the high inflation of the past year, but that does not explain why the price is suddenly increased by almost 50 percent. What is the reason for that significant price increase? According to many, the significant price increase has only one purpose: to push F1 fans in the Netherlands towards Viaplay.
The thing is, Formula 1 is the owner of the commercial rights of Formula 1 and broadcasts the Formula 1 races via F1TV. According to insiders, the significant price increase should ensure that F1 fans in the Netherlands do not opt for a subscription to F1TV, but for a ‘total package’ with Viaplay.
Viaplay currently finds itself in a difficult financial situation. Later this year, the TV rights for Formula 1 in the Netherlands will be auctioned after 2024. Formula 1 would of course prefer to have multiple candidates, which could lead to higher bids. If Viaplay figuratively ‘tears its pants’ too fiercely, it will not or less fiercely bid for the TV rights for 2025 and beyond. If the bids for the TV rights are disappointing, Formula 1 could decide to only broadcast Formula 1 via F1TV Pro in the future.
The price difference between the Netherlands and Belgium is also remarkable. As mentioned earlier, an annual subscription for F1TV Pro in the Netherlands costs 94.99 euros per year, in Belgium the price for an annual subscription is ‘only’ 74.99 euros. A monthly subscription is also no less than 3 euros per month cheaper at 8.99 euros.