Australian F1 fans are upset as Kayo Sports announces new broadcast deal

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Formula 1 has announced an extension of its broadcast deal with Kayo Sports, and Australian fans aren’t happy.

Back in 2015, Foxtel acquired the rights to show F1 in Australia, ending the free-to-air era. The company launched the Kayo Sports streaming service in 2018.

In 2022, Foxtel renewed their deal until the end of 2026. And ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix this weekend, the two parties have confirmed that the arrangement will continue in ‘2027 and beyond’.

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Aussie F1 fans wanted Apple TV over ‘exorbitant’ Kayo Sports

The official F1 Media account shared the news on X but was met with an overwhelmingly negative reaction from Australian fans in the comments.

“Nooooooooo,” one exclaimed. “We wanted Apple TV.”

Apple have recently won the rights to show F1 in the United States, using F1TV coverage.

Others complained about the price, with one calling Kayo ‘prohibitively expensive’ and another saying the ‘exorbitant’ packages made it ‘impossible’ for younger fans to start watching the sport.

• READ MORE: All to know about the Australian Grand Prix from Albert Park stats to previous winners in Melbourne

A standard Kayo subscription costs $29.99 per month, while a premium membership is $45.99. One social media user predicted ‘another price hike in the coming weeks’.

Other replies included ‘worst possible decision, should go to Apple TV or Stan’ and ‘well that’s ruined my day’.

It’s worth noting that the Australian GP will continue to be broadcast for free by Network 10.

Kayo Sports gave viewers F1TV option over Sky Sports bias claims

For the last four races of the 2025 season, Kayo Sports gave viewers a choice of commentary. They only carried the Sky Sports UK feed up to that point, but they introduced an F1TV audio option for their Sunday coverage.

This came after allegations that David Croft and Martin Brundle, the main Sky commentary duo, were biased towards British driver Lando Norris over teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri.

Croft maintained a relationship with Mark Webber, which indicates that the Piastri camp didn’t harbour any grievances themselves.

Meanwhile, Brundle says Piastri needs to improve at low-grip circuits if he wants to become a world champion. He described his 2025 season as ‘partly painful, partly brilliant’.