Formula 1 Presents Unique Opportunities for Disney Advertisers
Mercedes-Benz, Heineken Join as Official Sponsors of F1 Telecasts on Disney Networks
As a new season of Formula 1 racing launches this weekend from Bahrain, ESPN kicks off its new, three-year renewal with F1 that will bring new content and expanded viewing options for American F1 fans all season across Disney networks. Brands are racing to take part in the action as Disney Advertising has nearly sold out of inventory, bringing on Mercedes-Benz and Heineken as official sponsors to have visibility throughout the telecasts.
“No one has the depth, diversity, and width of sports offerings as Disney and Formula 1 is the perfect example of this,” said Sean Hanrahan, SVP, Disney Advertising Sports Brand Solutions. “Through this property, we are able to expand our reach and curate an incomparable advertising experience for brands.”
Since being with Disney starting in 2018, F1 has experienced unprecedented and rapid growth from both a viewership and demand standpoint. Brands are working creatively with Disney Advertising to find ways to enhance the race watching experience for fans everywhere.
Mercedes-Benz will serve as the Presenting Sponsor for all races throughout the duration of Disney’s F1 rights agreement, concluding in 2025. In addition to its exclusive media sponsorship presence, the automotive brand will also have visibility with several integrations throughout each live race and race re-air telecast.
Across each race weekend throughout the duration of Disney’s F1 rights agreement, Heineken will keep fans updated on everything they need to know about the exhilarating competition through the brand’s race preview and recap feature integrations in SportsCenter.
Coming off the record-setting 2022 season that saw F1 have its most-viewed year ever on U.S. television, Disney will again air all 23 races in the championship, with 18 of the 23 airing on ABC or ESPN. The other five will air on ESPN2. The 2022 season averaged 1.21 million viewers per race across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, a 28 percent increase over the previous U.S. television record of 949,000 average viewers that was set in 2021. The 2022 season also became the first in U.S. television history to average 1 million or more viewers per race.
Media Contacts:
Bukola Oyalabu | [email protected]
Kristen Smith | [email protected]
