MLS partnering with team behind ‘Drive to Survive’ for TV series

**© IMAGO/Ariana Ruiz**November 3, 2022, Los Angeles, California, USA: MLS, Fussball Herren, USA Commissioner Don Garber delivers the MLS State of the League Address on Thursday November 3, 2022 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles, California in advance of the MLS Cup Championship between the Los Angeles Football Club and the Philadelphia Union. ARIANA RUIZ/PI Los Angeles USA – ZUMAp124 20221103_zaa_p124_064 Copyright: xArianaxRuizx

Major League Soccer has announced that they are entering a partnership with Box to Box Productions to create a new docuseries. The British production company is behind the popular “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” series on Netflix. This new show, however, will be available for fans on MLS Season Pass. MLS and the streaming service are currently in a 10-year agreement.

MLS wants their own Drive to Success for each team

The Athletic spoke with MLS commissioner Don Garber about the partnership, among other things.

“Every team has the opportunity to do their own ‘Drive to Survive’ and have the largest technology and the most innovative consumer-facing company in the world provide the platform for that,” said Garber.

“This is going to be a test for our teams. But I can assure you that the teams that are really, really good will create very innovative, exciting, globally interesting content, and that will drive subscribers.”

“Drive to Survive” is currently one of the most popular shows of its kind on streaming services. In fact, season four attracted 57 million hours of streams during its first two weeks of release in March of 2022. This was the second-most watched Netflix docuseries during this timeframe. The show also collected a Sports Emmy for best documentary series in 2022. Season five of “Drive to Survive” was just released in late February.

Sports documentaries new streaming trend

The success of the Netflix show has propelled more sports documentaries to be produced. The Premier League revealed plans for similar show back in September and LaLiga announced their own series last month. Real Madrid is also partnering with Apple to create a docuseries as well.

MLS will hope that the new show can help attract more fans to the league. “Drive to Survive” is credited with bringing a whole new audience to Formula 1 racing. The North American league has grown significantly in recent years, but Garber will be banking to boost viewership even more.