MotorTrend+ subscribers found out this week that the platform would be shutting down in March 2024. With that info, we went looking for the best places to stream shows and races for gearheads and car enthusiasts. Here’s what we found.
In the heart of every car enthusiast beats a love for the roar of an engine, the sleek lines of a well-designed chassis, and the stories that connect us to our favorite vehicles. So, it came as a jolt to the system when news broke this week that Warner Bros. Discovery intends to shut down MotorTrend+, the premier streaming haven for all things automotive, this March. From heart-pounding car makeover sagas to intimate glimpses into celebrities’ garages, MotorTrend+ has been the go-to streaming destination for those who speak the language of cars.
Now, as the countdown to its closure begins, fans are left wondering: Where will they turn for their automotive content fix? Where can the community of gearheads rally to find and stream the new and legacy titles that fuel their passion? We looked into all the streaming platforms to find that answer.
Which Streamers Carry On-Demand Automotive Shows?
As it turns out, Warner Bros. Discovery has plans to move MotorTrend+ shows to Discovery+, a streaming platform that starts at $4.99/mo and comes with a 7-day free trial. If you are looking to watch shows that originally aired on the platform, this is where you can continue to find them. However, with WBD slashing production budgets, it is unlikely that new shows or races will be included on Discovery+.
Netflix is our favorite alternative for MotorTrend+ and is home to one of the top sports documentaries currently available, as it plays host to the incredibly popular series “ Formula 1: Drive to Survive.” That docuseries was recently joined by its NASCAR-related counterpart “ NASCAR: Full Speed.” These shows embed viewers in top racing leagues from around the world, and if that’s not enough, the streamer also carries car-centric movies like “Gran Turismo” and “Rush,” as well as car restoration shows like “Car Masters: Rust to Riches” and “Rust Valley Restorers.” It also has the latest seasons of the BBC’s “Top Gear” series hosted by Jeremy Clarkson.
When it comes to watching Prime Video, You can find a plethora of shows, including the Prime Video original “ The Grand Tour,” featuring the “Top Gear” trio of Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as they travel around the world driving some of the fastest vehicles ever created (Top Gear’s older seasons are also still available to watch on Prime Video too.) But Prime Video lacks new content and long-standing series.
In a similar vein, you can have some luck with Hulu, which carries reality TV shows like “Lost Car Rescue,” “Salvage Kings,” and “Dirty Old Cars.”
Which Streamers Carry Live Auto Racing?
If you like to watch real-life auto-racing content, there are some excellent options available at each price point. Let’s start with the free option; The Roku Channel will host 11 races from the ABB FIA Formula E racing league this season, and fans will not need to enter payment information of any kind to watch them. Paramount+ will also carry part of the Formula E schedule as well.
Peacock is also a good choice for viewers who want to watch live auto racing. This streamer costs $5.99 per month, and it offers a wide variety of live motorsports events. The 2024 NTT IndyCar season on Peacock begins March 10, and the streamer also offers some NASCAR Cup Series races which appear on linear NBC. Viewers can even find SuperMotocross on Peacock, meaning it offers great bang for the average racing fan’s buck.
ESPN+ carries preseason testing from Formula 1, practice sessions and races from Formula 2 and Formula 3, and more. Viewers won’t find any live F1 races on ESPN+ this season, but there is a wide variety of content and news from these racing leagues available on the streamer, along with a big selection of college and professional sports matchups.
If you are looking to sign up for a live TV streaming service to access as much live racing as possible, there are numerous options to explore. With different types of major racing happening on broadcast channels ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, as well as on cablers ESPN and FS1, nearly every major live streamer is a viable option. However, in my opinion, Sling TV is the best option. If you combine both the streamer’s Orange and Blue base plans, you can get all of the channels (except for CBS) for just $55 per month after the first month’s 50% off discount. That is significantly less than any other live-streaming option.
As you can see, there are a lot of options out there. If you plan on sticking with the tried-and-true MotorTrend+ series, you can head over to Discovery+ (or upgrade to Max for more). If you are looking for an alternative, Netflix is our top pick. And if you want to watch live races, we suggest Peacock.
