Formula 1 remains on the rise in Brazil even at challenging times and is already showing strength in the 2026 broadcasts. In the first three stages of the season, held during the early hours, the category reached 26,9 million people on Globo’s platforms.
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The number reinforces the interest of the Brazilian public in F1, even with races at non-traditional times. The combination of free-to-air and pay TV boosted the results and put the category’s coverage in the spotlight right at the start of the championship.
According to the released data, Globo aired two Grands Prix and one qualifying session on free-to-air TV, while sportv3 broadcast 100% of the Formula 1 activities. This expanded coverage strategy helped consolidate the significant reach already in the first stages of the year.
The Japanese GP, held in the early hours between Saturday and Sunday, was one of the audience highlights. The broadcast on TV Globo recorded 4 points and 25% share in the National Television Panel, exceeding the average for the time slot between 2h14 and 3h43 by 33%, compared to the previous four Saturdays.
Furthermore, the race in Suzuka achieved its best audience since October 2019, indicating a resurgence of public interest in the race in Japan. Considering the entire weekend, including ‘Grid da Globo’, qualifying, and the race, there was a 17% growth compared to the previous week’s averages.
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On pay TV, the performance also drew attention. sportv3 led among paid channels during two of the main activities of the Japanese weekend, qualifying and the Grand Prix, reinforcing F1’s strength in the segment.
Another relevant piece of data was the comparison with the previous season. sportv3’s reach for the Japanese GP was double that of the competing channel that held the Formula 1 broadcasting rights in 2025, highlighting a significant advance in audience.
Even with races held in the early hours, the numbers show that Formula 1 maintains a solid fan base in Brazil. The start of the 2026 season indicates a positive scenario for broadcasts throughout the year, with potential for growth as the calendar progresses and the championship battles intensify.
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