Apple Bids for Formula 1 Rights in US After Success of Brad Pitt Film
UNITED STATES, JUL 9 – Apple aims to secure US Formula 1 rights for 2026, leveraging its $293 million-grossing F1 movie and growing sport popularity amid ESPN's exit from bidding.
- Apple is in negotiations to secure exclusive streaming rights for Formula 1 in the United States, with plans to begin coverage starting in the 2026 season.
- This interest comes after ESPN missed the opportunity to renew its F1 contract during a designated negotiation period that ended last year.
- F1’s popularity in the US has surged due to Netflix’s Drive to Survive, Apple’s F1 movie success, and new races in Las Vegas and Miami.
- The upcoming US rights deal is estimated at $121 million annually, with Apple reportedly able to afford $120–150 million per year easily.
- If Apple secures the rights, it could mark a major expansion into live sports streaming and shift F1’s US viewership to its Apple TV platform.
42 Articles
42 Articles
Apple Reportedly Bidding On Formula 1 TV Rights After Success Of 'F1' Movie
It's somewhat odd that we're about halfway through the 2025 Formula 1 season, and as it stands, the series doesn't have a US TV deal next season. That's a problem since the 2026 season will see new technical and engine regulations, a new street race in Madrid, and Cadillac joining the grid as the 11th team.It now seems like Apple is interested in adding F1 to its sports programming portfolio.ESPN currently holds US broadcast rights through the e…
Apple may be trying to pick up Formula 1's US broadcast rights
Following the success of its F1 movie at the box office, Apple may be looking to move deeper into the world of motorsports. The company is reportedly in talks to snap up the US broadcasting rights for Formula 1. According to The Financial Times, Apple is interested in snatching away the rights from F1's current US broadcast partner, ESPN, when they become available in 2026. F1 is said to make about $85 million per year from its deal with ESPN. I…
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