Apple Purchases America-Exclusive Broadcasting Rights to F1
In a significant change for motorsports and streaming, Apple has obtained exclusive US broadcast rights for Formula One (F1) starting with the 2026 season through a five-year deal with the Formula One World Championship.
This agreement ends ESPN’s current tenure in the US, where it had held the rights since 2018. Although the financial details have not been officially revealed, reports suggest that Apple will pay approximately $140 million annually, which is significantly higher than ESPN’s yearly payment of about $90 million.
With this deal, all race-weekend activities, including practice sessions, qualifying rounds, Sprint events, and Grands Prix, will be streamed on Apple TV. Selected races and all practice sessions will also be accessible for free via the Apple TV app, even for those without a subscription.
Moreover, F1 TV Premium, the sport’s dedicated streaming service, will no longer operate independently in the US; its content will be integrated into an Apple TV subscription.
For Apple, this deal enhances its push into live sports as a means to boost subscriber growth. Apple TV already offers major sports content like Major League Soccer and MLB’s “Friday Night Baseball.” For Formula One, the collaboration is a strategic effort to expand its presence in the US by utilizing Apple’s ecosystem.
The timing coincides with the success of the Apple-produced film F1 (starring Brad Pitt), which has increased US interest in the sport.
For fans, this change signifies a shift from traditional cable and broadcast to streaming only. Starting in 2026, Apple TV will be the exclusive US platform for live Formula One events.
US viewership of Formula One has been on the rise, supported by popular behind-the-scenes docuseries and several domestic Grand Prix (like Miami, Las Vegas, and Austin). So, whether this transition will attract new audiences or cause friction among long-time fans remains uncertain, but it is a promising step forward.
