Apple has secured the U.S. broadcast rights for Formula 1 in a landmark deal valued at approximately $750 million. This agreement will span five years, commencing in 2026.
Details of the Broadcast Rights Deal
According to sources, Apple will invest around $150 million annually in this partnership. The arrangement will allow all Apple TV subscribers in the United States to watch Formula 1 as part of their standard monthly subscription.
Coverage and Content
This is Apple’s first significant foray into sports broadcasting. Currently, Apple TV offers coverage of U.S. Major League Soccer, but that requires an additional fee.
- Live coverage of all Formula 1 on-track sessions
- Access to content produced by F1 TV
At this point, Apple has not decided on its commentary arrangements. The company is expected to either utilize commentary from F1 TV or source it from Sky, a prominent UK broadcaster.
Impact of Previous Productions
The recent F1 movie featuring Brad Pitt has proven instrumental in facilitating this agreement. The film has grossed around $630 million, becoming the highest-grossing sports movie of all time and Pitt’s most successful film.
Transition from ESPN
Prior to this deal, ESPN held the U.S. rights for Formula 1 at a cost of $80 million per year.
The Vision for Future Growth
Formula 1 aims to enhance its presence through this partnership. F1 chairman, Stefano Domenicali, stated that this collaboration with Apple would significantly amplify the sport across various platforms including News, Maps, Music, Sports, and Fitness+.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice-president of services, expressed excitement about delivering innovative and premium coverage to fans, emphasizing the company’s commitment to enhancing the customer experience.
