Apple Eyes Formula 1 Rights, Potentially Disrupting ESPN’s Reign
Apple is reportedly in active negotiations to secure the broadcasting rights for Formula 1 racing in the United States, a move that could significantly alter the landscape of motorsports coverage. The current agreement between Formula 1 and ESPN is set to expire at the end of the current year, opening the door for new contenders.
The potential deal, first reported by the Financial Times, would see Apple stream Formula 1 races through its Apple TV app beginning with the 2026 season. While Apple is a leading candidate, sources indicate the company is not alone in its pursuit, and the specifics of its proposal remain undisclosed.
ESPN allowed its exclusive bidding window to lapse, citing escalating costs. However, the network remains a key player in the negotiations, competing alongside Apple and other interested parties.
The future direction of Formula 1 is ultimately controlled by Liberty Media, the sport’s owner. Currently, ESPN’s broadcast deal generates approximately $90 million annually for Liberty Media from US rights. Formula 1 also operates its own direct-to-consumer streaming service, F1 TV, which offers fans live and on-demand access to all races for an annual subscription fee of around $130.
As Formula 1’s popularity surges, particularly in the US, the value of the next rights agreement is expected to increase substantially. Industry estimates place the potential annual cost between $120 million and $150 million – a figure easily within Apple’s financial reach.
The fate of F1 TV remains a significant question mark. In many international markets, exclusive broadcast rights holders restrict the availability of F1 TV as part of their agreements with the league. One analyst noted that it appears unlikely Apple would pursue a deal if fans could simultaneously access races through F1 TV.
Apple has been strategically expanding its sports content offerings. Apple TV+ already features exclusive Major League Baseball games with Friday Night Baseball, and serves as the exclusive streaming home for all Major League Soccer matches. Adding Formula 1 would align seamlessly with this strategy, representing a comparable investment to Apple’s existing sports rights deals, though focused solely on the US market.
Apple’s interest in Formula 1 extends beyond potential broadcasting rights. Executives have been regular attendees at Formula 1 races, and the company recently released F1: The Movie in theaters. Furthermore, a documentary focusing on driver Lewis Hamilton is slated to stream on Apple TV+ in the coming months.
However, the most significant driver of Formula 1’s growing US viewership has been the popular Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive. It is currently unclear whether Netflix is considering a bid for the streaming rights to the sport.
