Apple eyes U.S. Formula 1 broadcast rights as popularity soars

40

Apple is reportedly in discussions to acquire the U.S. broadcasting rights for Formula 1, signaling the tech giant’s growing ambition to deepen its footprint in live sports.

According to a report by the Financial Times, Apple has initiated talks with F1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media to bid on the rights once the current contract with Disney’s ESPN expires at the end of the 2025 season.

This move comes as Formula 1’s presence in the U.S. reaches new heights. Since ESPN began broadcasting F1 in 2018, viewership has more than doubled.

The sport’s popularity has been fueled in large part by the hit Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive, which offered fans an all-access pass to the inner workings of the sport and dramatically boosted engagement among American viewers.

Box Office Success Spurs Apple’s Strategic Move

Apple’s interest in the sport appears to be bolstered by the box office success of its recent production, F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt. The film has already raked in over $300 million globally, suggesting strong demand for Formula 1 content and signaling a potential synergy between Apple’s entertainment and sports divisions.

Should Apple secure the F1 rights, it would mark another significant push into live sports broadcasting. The company began airing Major League Baseball games in 2022 and currently holds an extensive streaming partnership with Major League Soccer, including a decade-long global deal.

©Formula1

Industry analysts see the potential F1 deal as Apple’s next big play to make Apple TV+ a central hub for premium sports content.

Financial estimates peg the value of the upcoming F1 broadcasting package at around $121 million per year – up from ESPN’s current $85 million annual deal – though that figure could rise given the sport’s momentum and the added competition for rights.

Read also:

Pitt blown away by McLaren F1 test: ‘Never experienced anything like it’

Rival bidders, including Netflix, are also reportedly in the running for the U.S. rights starting in 2026, setting the stage for a high-stakes bidding war.

For Apple, acquiring Formula 1 would not only diversify its streaming portfolio but also further cement its commitment to combining high-profile entertainment with premium live sports experiences.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.