Apple Secures Exclusive US Formula 1 Streaming Rights in Landmark $750 Million Agreement

Tech Giant’s Major Sports Broadcasting Debut

In what sources indicate represents a major expansion of its sports content strategy, Apple has reportedly secured exclusive United States broadcasting rights for Formula 1 racing. The five-year agreement, valued at approximately $750 million according to reports, marks Apple’s first major foray into sports broadcasting as part of its standard subscription package.

The deal, which begins in 2026, will see Apple paying around $150 million annually for the rights, according to industry insiders. This represents a significant increase over F1’s previous US rights arrangement with ESPN, which reportedly cost approximately $80 million per year. The agreement will make F1 available to all Apple TV subscribers in America as part of their standard monthly fee, unlike the company’s coverage of US Major League Soccer, which requires an additional charge beyond the basic subscription.

Comprehensive Coverage for Subscribers

According to reports, Apple TV customers will receive access to live coverage of all on-track sessions and all content produced by the sport’s in-house channel F1 TV. Commentary arrangements have not been finalized, with sources suggesting Apple will not initially produce its own commentary and is likely to purchase either F1 TV’s commentary or that of the UK’s Sky network.

The popular Drive to Survive documentary series on rival streaming service Netflix will not be affected by this new arrangement, according to the report. This maintains multiple viewing options for Formula 1 enthusiasts across different platforms while Apple establishes its exclusive live broadcasting presence.

Strategic Expansion Following Cinematic Success

Analysts suggest the successful F1 movie starring Brad Pitt, released earlier this year, played a significant role in securing this broadcasting deal. The film has reportedly generated approximately $630 million at the box office and is said to be both the highest-grossing sports movie ever and Pitt’s most financially successful film.

This cinematic achievement appears to have demonstrated the sport’s growing popularity in the American market, contributing to Apple’s confidence in the substantial investment. The company’s approach to sports broadcasting continues to evolve with this landmark agreement.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

In a statement, F1 chairman Stefano Domenicali described the partnership as “incredibly exciting” for both organizations, noting it would “ensure we can continue to maximise our growth potential in the US with the right content and innovative distribution channels.”

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice-president of services, stated the company “looked forward to delivering premium and innovative fan-first coverage to our customers in a way that only Apple can.” According to F1’s official statement, the deal will “amplify the sport across” all Apple’s outlets including News, Maps, Music, Sports and Fitness+.

The agreement represents Apple’s most significant move yet into live sports broadcasting and reflects the continuing evolution of market trends in media distribution. As industry developments continue to shift toward streaming platforms, this deal positions Apple as a major player in sports content. Other related innovations in the streaming space suggest this trend will continue accelerating across the media landscape.

This announcement comes alongside other significant technology announcements in the industry, though Apple’s F1 deal represents one of the largest sports media rights agreements in recent years. The streaming landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with recent technology developments influencing content distribution strategies across multiple platforms. These industry developments reflect the broader digital transformation occurring across multiple sectors.

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