Apple Lands F1 Rights: $700M Deal | Formula 1 News

Apple Races Past ESPN to Become formula 1’s Exclusive US Broadcaster

Apple TV+ will become the exclusive home of Formula 1 racing in the United States starting in 2026, marking the tech giant’s moast significant investment in sports broadcasting to date. The deal, reportedly worth $700 million, signals a major shift in the landscape of motorsports broadcasting adn underscores Apple’s growing ambition in the sports media market.

The agreement will see Apple broadcast every on-track session – including practice, qualifying, sprint races, and the Grands Prix themselves – through its Apple TV streaming service for five seasons, beginning in 2026 and extending through the 2030 campaign. This move effectively ends Disney-owned ESPN’s long-standing relationship with Formula 1 in the US, a partnership that was extended through the 2025 season in late 2022.

Did you know? – Formula 1’s popularity in the US has surged in recent years, partly fueled by the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive, which debuted in 2019.The series provides behind-the-scenes access and has attracted a new, younger audience to the sport.

Apple’s annual investment of approximately $140 million represents a substantial increase over ESPN’s previous outlay of $90 million per year, providing a significant financial boost to the racing series. According to a company release, the partnership aims to “maximize our growth potential in the U.S. with the right content and innovative distribution channels.”

While Apple TV will be the primary broadcast platform, F1 TV Premium will remain available in the US, but exclusively through an Apple TV subscription, after which it will be offered at no additional cost. Notably, Apple will not initially produce its own commentary team, with plans for commentary arrangements still under development. Tho, Apple TV subscribers will have access to all content produced by F1’s in-house production team.

Select races and all free practice sessions will also be available for free via the Apple TV app, broadening access to the sport. This strategy aligns with Apple’s broader efforts to “amplify the sport” across its ecosystem of services, including News, Maps, Music, Sports, and Fitness+.

Pro tip: – To access Formula 1 on Apple TV+,you’ll need an active subscription. Apple offers various subscription tiers, including bundles with other Apple services, potentially offering cost savings.

This move comes as Apple continues to expand its presence in sports broadcasting, already holding exclusive domestic rights to major league Soccer (MLS) through 2032 and broadcasting Friday night baseball games from MLB through 2028. The company’s foray into sports is further bolstered by its successful production of F1: The movie, which grossed over $628 million worldwide, according to data from IMDB, and is set to debut on Apple TV in mid-December.

One analyst noted that Apple’s acquisition of F1 rights is a clear signal of its intent in the sports media rights market, surpassing the investment made by incumbent ESPN.However, the analyst also cautioned that the long-term value of the deal remains to be seen, particularly given Apple’s relative lack of infrastructure compared to established sports broadcasters like Netflix and Disn

Reader question: – Do you think Apple’s entry into F1 broadcasting will change how you consume the sport? What features would you like to see added to the Apple TV+ coverage?

Here’s a breakdown answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions, integrated into a news report style:

Why: Apple is making a significant investment in sports broadcasting to expand its Apple TV+ service and attract new subscribers. Formula 1’s growing popularity in the US, fueled by shows like Drive to survive, makes it an attractive property.

Who: Apple TV+ has secured exclusive broadcasting rights for formula 1 in the United States from disney-owned ESPN. The