PlanetF1.com and Global Fan Network launch new F1 channel ‘On Track GP’

PlanetF1.com are delighted to announce a partnership with Global Fan Network (GFN) to launch a brand new F1 channel ahead of the 2023 season.

Called On Track GP, the two global media firms will together produce and host live watchalongs of major Formula 1 races – the type of broadcast that has propelled entrepreneur Robbie Lyle and AFTV to worldwide recognition.

The shows will combine PlanetF1.com’s detailed knowledge and insight into the sport with GFN’s know-how of reaching and engaging fans using innovative methods, with the passionate F1 fanbase being the beating heart of the channel.

GFN’s two main channels, AFTV and DR Sports, are worldwide leaders in new-age fan broadcasting. AFTV has racked up more than 1 billion views and 1.5 million subscribers in 10 years, while DR Sports has more than 200,000 subscribers after just two years of production.

This has all been achieved by keeping fans as the centre of attention, and doing away with the often-sanitised views of pundits on national television.

The international popularity of Formula 1 has boomed in recent years, partly due to the Netflix series Drive to Survive, which drew in millions of views. This increasing interest in F1 is reflected in the US, with viewers more than doubling over the past five years.

PlanetF1.com and GFN now want to bring fans closer than ever to the races, using GFN’s innovative formula for increasing fan engagement in sports.

On Track GP will cover the hotly-anticipated first race of the season, the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, March 5, where Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes are set to start their bid for individual and team honours in 2023.

The channel will have regular live broadcasts throughout the record-breaking 23-race season and will also make use of the technology that GFN has recently launched to create AFTV FanZone, which allows fans from all over the world to be ‘beamed in’ to the studio and discuss their views and predictions about live sporting events or the talking points of the day.

Robbie Lyle, Founder and Group CEO of GFN, said: “F1 fans are some of the most knowledgeable sports fans around. We can’t wait to hear their views, reactions and banter. Naturally, I’ll be keeping an eye on Lewis Hamilton’s progress this year – let’s hope he can mix it with Verstappen and Leclerc on the podium in 2023.

“We hope that fans from all corners of the world will join us for Bahrain.

“I have always said it was a matter of when, not if, GFN branches out to produce more one-sport channels. F1’s international fanbase is a perfect fit.”

Mark Scott, Motorsport Editor at Planet F1.com’s parent company Planet Sport, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Robbie and the GFN team to take PlanetF1.com’s Formula 1 coverage live and on-screen to both seasoned petrolheads and new audiences alike.”

Tim Satchell, Managing Director, Publishing, at Planet Sport added: “We are excited to take PlanetF1.com’s first serious steps into video production and the YouTube platform in partnership with GFN, undoubted leaders in this area. Our Formula 1 expertise and existing online audience makes a great fit with GFN and their shared passion for Formula 1.

“We can’t wait for the lights to go green in Bahrain next month!”

You can find On Track GP on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, as well as regular clips on PlanetF1.com’s Facebook and Twitter channels.