Apple concludes a deal to broadcast Formula 1 exclusively in the United States

Apple concludes a deal to broadcast Formula 1 exclusively in the United States

Apple and Formula 1 announced an agreement of five-year broadcast rights that will make Apple TV the official home of racing starting in 2026.

The contract, worth approximately $140 million per year, gives Apple the exclusive right to show all events in the category, including training, qualifying and sprint races, without advertising and for the regular subscription of $12.99 per month.

The five-year deal begins in 2026 and marks a new chapter in the tech giant’s sporting expansion – Image: shutterstock/Michael Cola

How the transmission will work

The new deal ends Formula 1’s partnership with Disney’s ESPN, which paid about $85 million a year for the rights in the United States. In a statement, ESPN said it was “proud to work together with F1” and wished the category success in the new phase.

With the agreement, Apple takes a strategic position in sports streaming, expanding its activities beyond football and consolidating its model of premium and integrated broadcasts.

Apple signs $700 million deal to exclusively broadcast Formula 1 (Image: Jay Hirano Photography/Shutterstock)

According to Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, the company only invests in sports when it can “control the entire user experience.” “We don’t need to play sports like it always has been,” Cue said. “But if we can offer something unique, then we will.”

The company promises to unveil new production features and immersive experiences for F1 fans in the coming months, including exclusive camera technologies and integration with other Apple devices.

A partnership born after success in cinema

The deal also brings Apple even closer to F1, following the success of “F1: The Movie,” starring Brad Pitt, which became the highest-grossing sports film in history.

For Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, the partnership “guarantees the continued growth of the sport in the United States”, where the fan base has reached 52 million in 2024, according to official data.

racing cars competing in a Formula 1 race, which returns this week
Apple replaces ESPN in broadcasting major motorsports category in the US – Image: F1/Disclosure

The article After Apple completes deal to broadcast Formula 1 exclusively in the US appeared first on Olhar Digital.

Source: Olhar Digital

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