If F1 moves to Apple, what becomes of F1 TV?
If F1 moves to Apple, what becomes of F1 TV?
Reports indicate the racing league wants to keep F1 TV running in any new broadcast deal.
The future of Formula 1 broadcasting could be decided in the next week or so. The racing circuit is reportedly close to agreeing to a deal with Apple to stream its races in the United States starting in 2026, moving from ESPN linear channels and the ESPN+ streamer to the Apple TV+ platform. But if that deal is consummated, what will become of F1’s current streaming service F1 TV?
Key Details:
- Don’t let go: Formula 1 reportedly wants to continue F1 TV in its next deal.
- Apple takeover?: Apple could attempt to take control of F1 TV to keep the streamer as an alternative.
- Off linear for good?: F1 has reportedly downplayed the idea that it will attempt to air a few races on linear TV channels.
While F1 having an owned-and-operated over-the-top (OTT) streamer while ESPN was paying to broadcast the races wasn’t a major concern, because while the Worldwide Leader in Sports had a streaming component to its deal via ESPN+, the focus of the rights was on the linear cable channels. However, if the deal with Apple does go through, those primary rights would reside on a streaming service, making the operation of a secondary streamer potentially problematic.
However, according to the Sports Business Journal, Formula One Management wants to keep F1 TV going when it signs its next domestic media deal. The streaming service offers all sessions on a race weekend, including the races themselves, which has meant that ESPN has essentially had to compete with the streamer for viewers during the course of its F1 deal.
While the ESPN broadcasts of races were designed to appeal to the more casual race fan, F1 TV is focused more on the tuned-in viewer. The streamer allows fans to switch between in-car views of every driver, watch via multiview options, follow along with advanced statistics, and more. However, since Apple will not be confined to just one or two cable channels, it would have the capability to do all of those things on its service. So, having to compete with F1 TV would be a much different situation than ESPN had to contend with.
Nonetheless, Apple has reportedly offered $150 million per year for F1 rights, which is a hefty increase over the $80 to $90 million that ESPN currently pays. It could take quite a bit of convincing on F1’s part to get Apple to consent to simultaneous streams of races on F1 TV going forward, but perhaps F1 TV is part of those discussions.
It would not be unheard of for Apple to take control of F1 TV. Such a move would allow the feature-rich service to continue in existence, and could allow Apple to exclusively stream F1 races in the United States, much as it does around the world with Major League Soccer matches on the MLS Season Pass streaming service. While a handful of MLS games stream on Apple TV for free and on Apple TV+ as part of a subscription, the vast majority of matches are restricted to the MLS Season Pass service, which costs $15 per month, or $100 per year.
Currently, F1 TV Pro costs $85 per year and F1 TV Premium runs $130. F1 TV launched its Premium plan in March, allowing subscribers to enjoy a customized multiview and 4K races, among other features. If Apple took over the service and made it the main way for racing fans to watch F1, those prices would likely stay relatively unchanged, although there would likely be discounts for Apple TV+ subscribers, as there are for MLS Season Pass.
Are you an F1 fan who is eager to see F1 TV continue in existence? Let us know in the comments how you would feel about seeing the streamer disappear after the move to Apple TV+, or if you’d continue to subscribe to it if it persists.
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.