Financial terms of the deal were not officially disclosed on Friday, though CNBC reported the agreement is valued at approximately $140 million per year—significantly higher than the $90 million per season ESPN, owned by Walt Disney, paid since acquiring F1 rights in 2018. Apple’s coverage is set to begin next year.
The iPhone maker plans to stream all practice sessions, qualifying rounds, Sprint races, and Grand Prix events on Apple TV, with select races and practice sessions also available for free via the Apple TV app. Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, said the partnership offers U.S. subscribers “front row access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet.”
Formula 1’s U.S. fanbase has grown rapidly, with Nielsen Sports reporting nearly 90 million new fans last year. China saw the largest percentage growth after the sport’s post-COVID return to Shanghai. The rights deal will bolster Apple TV’s sports portfolio, which already includes Major League Soccer and Friday Night Baseball. Live sports have become a strategic battleground for streaming platforms, attracting loyal audiences, reducing subscriber churn, and boosting advertising revenue.
Apple TV, despite its critical acclaim and 22 Emmy Awards this year, has lagged behind streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+ in scale. Adding Formula 1 to its lineup is expected to strengthen Apple’s position in the competitive streaming landscape, combining high-octane racing with exclusive content and fan engagement.