Apple Inks $750 Million For US Formula 1 Streaming Coverage
Summary
Apple has signed a five-year, US$750 million deal to become the exclusive U.S. home for Formula 1 from 2026. The deal is a large premium over ESPN’s current arrangement (about US$90 million per year) and forms part of Apple’s broader push into live sports streaming. Apple says it will present F1 with a “more dynamic and elevated viewing experience.” The move follows Apple’s other sports partnerships and its recent rebrand from “Apple TV+” to “Apple TV.”
Key Points
- Apple secured exclusive U.S. streaming rights to Formula 1 for five years, starting 2026, in a US$750 million deal.
- The payment represents a significant increase over ESPN’s current annual rights spend (around US$90 million per year).
- Apple plans an upgraded viewing experience and expects the partnership to help grow F1’s American audience.
- The deal aligns with Apple’s other sports investments (MLB, MLS) and follows its involvement with the hit film “F1 The Movie.”
- There are immediate questions about subscriber access and whether fans will pay for another sports subscription.
Content Summary
Variety first reported the agreement: Apple will exclusively stream Formula 1 in the U.S. under a five-year contract worth US$750 million. The expenditure is substantially higher than the current rights deal held by ESPN, signalling Apple’s willingness to pay top dollar to expand live sports offerings on Apple TV. The company emphasises an enhanced viewing package and hopes the deal will attract new motorsport fans in the U.S.
The announcement also ties into Apple’s recent entertainment moves: it rebranded Apple TV+, has existing deals with other sports leagues, and worked with Formula 1 on the successful theatrical release “F1 The Movie,” which grossed roughly US$629 million and will land on Apple TV in December 2025.
Context and Relevance
This is a noteworthy shift in the sports-rights landscape. Big tech platforms continue to outspend traditional broadcasters for premium live rights, accelerating the fragmentation of where fans must subscribe to watch live sport. For Apple, the deal strengthens its strategy to make Apple TV a destination for must-see live content; for F1, it could mean deeper U.S. reach — provided fans are willing to follow the sport onto another streaming service.
Punchy author note: This isn’t just another licence renewal — it’s a loud signal that Apple views live sport as central to Apple TV’s growth. If you’re following streaming economics, sports rights trends or F1’s U.S. expansion, read the detail.
Why should I read this?
Quick and blunt: Apple just spent a ton of cash to lock down F1 in the U.S. — that affects where fans watch, how much subscriptions cost, and how sports streaming deals will be priced going forward. It’s worth knowing if you care about streaming services, sports business or how content is being parceled out across platforms.