Apple & F1: 5-Year Streaming Deal on Apple TV+

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Apple Accelerates into Formula 1 wiht landmark Five-Year Streaming Deal

Apple TV+ will become the exclusive home for Formula 1 racing in the United States beginning in 2026, marking a notable expansion of the tech giant’s foray into live sports broadcasting. The agreement, announced Friday, will bring comprehensive coverage of every F1 event – including practise, qualifying, and Sprint sessions – to Apple’s streaming platform.

The deal represents a substantial increase in investment for Apple, reportedly valued at approximately $140 million annually. This figure significantly surpasses the average $85 million per year previously paid by Disney’s ESPN for similar rights, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The shift underscores Apple’s strategic ambition to control the user experience and offer unique value within the live sports landscape.

Pro tip:-Apple TV+’s Formula 1 coverage will be included with the standard subscription, unlike MLS coverage which requires a separate Season Pass.

Verstappen Leads at Mexico GP Amidst Shifting Media Landscape

The proclamation comes as Max Verstappen of the Netherlands,driving the #1 Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20,currently leads the pack at the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico,followed closely by Carlos Sainz of Spain in the #55 Ferrari SF-24 and Lando Norris of Great Britain piloting the #4 McLaren MCL38 Mercedes into the first turn. This on-track action unfolds against a backdrop of dramatic changes in how fans will access the sport in the years to come.

Reader question:-Will F1 TV Premium still be available? Yes, but it will require an Apple TV subscription to access its content.

A New Model for F1 Coverage on Apple TV+

Unlike Apple’s existing partnership with Major League Soccer, which requires an additional subscription through the MLS Season Pass, Formula 1 coverage will be integrated into the standard Apple TV+ subscription – currently priced at $12.99 per month and ad-free. Furthermore, select races and all practice sessions will be made available for free within the Apple TV app, broadening accessibility for casual fans.

F1 TV Premium, the league’s existing subscription service, will continue to operate in the U.S., but will now necessitate an Apple TV subscription for access.This effectively bundles the premium racing content within Apple’s broader ecosystem.

Did you know?-“F1: The Movie,” starring Brad Pitt, has become Apple’s highest-grossing sports movie of all time, boosting interest in the sport.

Apple’s Strategic approach to Live Sports

According to a senior Apple official, the company is deliberately selective in its sports investments. “We don’t have to do sports the way that they are,” the official stated at Motorsport Network’s Autosport Business Exchange NYC. “There’s plenty of people doing that, so the world doesn’t need us to do that. And so our view around it is indeed,if we can do something unique,then we’ll do it.”

this philosophy is evident in Apple’s commitment to enhancing the production quality and fan experience surrounding Formula 1. The company plans to unveil further details regarding these enhancements in the coming months.

Building on Existing Momentum

The deal with Formula 1 builds upon Apple’s growing relationship with the sport, fueled in part by the success of “F1: the Movie,” starring Brad Pitt. The film,according to the company,has become the highest-grossing sports movie of all time.

“This is an incredibly exciting partnership for Apple and the whole of Formula 1 that will ensure we can continue to maximize our growth potential in the U.S.,” said Stefano Domenicali