Apple reportedly in pursuit of Formula 1 rights
Apple reportedly in pursuit of Formula 1 rights
The success of the film ‘F1’ could be followed up by real-life racing on Apple TV+.
Apple appears to be revving up its interest in adding more live sports to its streaming service Apple TV+. According to The Financial Times, Apple is “in talks to acquire” the broadcast rights to Formula 1 races in the United States, a pursuit which would give the company its third major sports deal if it can beat out ESPN and any other aspirants with its bid.
Key Details:
- Not long to wait: F1’s broadcast rights have no home in the U.S. after the 2025 season.
- Halo effect: The success of Apple’s new movie “F1” could be driving Apple’s desire for the real thing.
- Formidable lineup?: Apple already owns the rights to a package of MLB games, as well as MLS games.
Formula 1 is contracted to broadcast its races on ESPN until the end of the current 2025 season, but after that, the racing league is a free agent. Experts and analysts have been discussing Apple as a good fit for F1 rights for months, and it appears executives at the company agree with that assessment.
No details were reported on how much Apple was willing to pay to get the rights to F1 races. Formula One reportedly wants more than the $90 million per year that ESPN has been paying to televise races, and has been suggesting to media companies that F1 wants as much as $180 million. However, other reports indicate that the circuit hasn’t been able to drum up much interest at that price tag.
Unfortunately, viewership hasn’t been on the side of Formula 1 in the U.S. Viewership for races was down in 2024 compared to 2023, but Apple could get a sizable boost in interest thanks to its newest movie “F1,” starring Brad Pitt. The film has pulled in nearly $300 million globally so far, becoming the highest-grossing film from Apple’s movie studio. The continued popularity of the Netflix docuseries “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” could also be in Apple’s favor if it lands F1’s domestic rights.
Apple might not have a ton of competition for the F1 rights either; in February, it was reported that ESPN is ready to move on from the racing league, and other outlets like Netflix and NBC weren’t willing to meet the league’s asking price.
The Financial Times says that ESPN may end up renewing its deal with F1 after all, which could mean its reported lack of interest was little more than a negotiation tactic. There is still time for Formula 1 to stoke competitive bidding, but it appears that Apple should be considered a serious contender. The company already holds the rights to a package of Friday night MLB games, and streams every MLS game of the season on its MLS Season Pass platform. Are they about to be joined by the high-octane action of F1 races?
If you aren’t an Apple TV+ subscriber already, would you sign up in order to watch all of the F1 races? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.