Apple and Formula 1 ink five-year US streaming deal, bringing all races to Apple TV

On Friday, Apple made headlines by securing exclusive broadcasting rights for Formula 1 in the United States. This five-year partnership will position Apple TV as the sole streaming platform for all Formula 1 events starting with the 2026 season, effectively replacing ESPN as the current broadcaster. Subscribers to Apple TV will have access to every practice session, qualifying round, Sprint event, and Grand Prix. In an exciting twist, Apple plans to offer select races and all practice sessions for free through the Apple TV app during the season. Reports indicate that Apple bid between $140 million and $150 million per year for these rights, a substantial increase from ESPN's annual payment of $85 million. The total value of the deal is estimated at around $750 million over the five-year period. This announcement follows Apple's recent rebranding of its streaming service, now simply known as “Apple TV,” and comes on the heels of their collaboration with Formula 1 on the film “F1 The Movie,” featuring Brad Pitt. The film, which has grossed $629 million globally, is set to premiere on Apple TV on December 12. In addition to streaming races, Apple plans to enhance the Formula 1 experience across its various platforms, including Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+. The Apple Sports app will also provide live updates for every qualifying round, Sprint, and race, offering real-time leaderboards and season standings, as well as Live Activities for the Lock Screen and a Home Screen widget. Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, expressed enthusiasm for this expanded relationship with Formula 1, emphasizing the sport's growth and appeal. "2026 marks a transformative new era for Formula 1, from new teams to new regulations and cars with the best drivers in the world. We look forward to delivering premium and innovative fan-first coverage in a way that only Apple can," he stated. With this deal, Formula 1 joins the ranks of other major sports available on Apple TV, including Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball. As Formula 1 continues to expand its fanbase, which reached 52 million in the U.S. in 2024, Apple is poised to play a significant role in its future.